STARS of the theatre staged a bank robbery to promote a stage production of a classic British comedy.

The mock stick-up took place at the Darlington Building Society, in Darlington, yesterday, the opening day of a production of The Lavender Hill Mob in the town's Civic Theatre.

The madcap 1950s film, starring Alec Guinness, Stanley Holloway and Sid James, was one of the most successful movies ever made by the Ealing Studio.

It has been turned into a stage play to celebrate the film's Golden Jubilee and 100 years of Ealing.

The play stars Victor Spinetti, Clive Francis, Michael Melia and Jack Wild. They were joined by cast members Claire Harding, Oliver Broad and Simon Robinson for the building society bust.

The plot follows crooked attempts to steal a gold shipment and melt it down into the shape of souvenir Eiffel Towers.

The show is running at Darlington Civic Theatre until Saturday, with performances at 7.30pm each evening and a matinee at 2pm today . Tickets are priced £9 to £16.50.

For further information, or to book a ticket, contact the theatre on (01325) 486555.