THIS year's annual production at Hummersknott School and Language College, in Darlington, opened in style last night.

The Water Babies is a musical extravaganza with a dozen songs and a cast of 40 students taking the roles of the many undersea creatures and the babies.

The show is open to all, and will be performed again tonight and tomorrow.

Pupils between the ages of 11 to 16 have been preparing for the show for weeks and all the scenery and costumes have been produced within the school.

Hummersknott's feeder primary schools were invited to the school to watch the show earlier this week.

The Water Babies was written by Charles Kingsley and published in 1863. It is the story of Tom, a chimney sweep who falls into a river and enters a magical underwater world where he becomes a water baby.

Tickets cost £5 for adults and £2.50 for concessions.

Contact the school on (01325) 241191.