A CHRISTMAS toy appeal has been launched by an amateur dramatics society producing Scrooge this year.

South Moor Theatre Group, near Stanley in County Durham, is urging audiences to bring a gift for needy children in the area.

It is performing the Dickens festive classic at The Alun Armstrong Theatre in Stanley Civic Hall and wants theatre goers to bring presents with them.

Group chairman Nick Goddard said: “Scrooge is a well known heart-warming Christmas tale about a man who hates Christmas and loathes people.

“Kindness is eventually restored after he is visited by three ghosts who teach him life is good and too short.

“This year we have, along with the Civic Hall, pledged to support Metro Radio’s Mission Christmas and we are asking members of our audience and public 'not to be a Scrooge' but to simply bring an unwrapped gift along to the Civic Hall drop off point.

“It's unbearable to think that some children will wake up on Christmas morning without a gift.

“We're really hoping with the help of our local community we can make a huge difference.”

Scrooge is played by Ian Mordue with Michael Green as Jacob Marley and Lee Passmore as Bob Cratchit. Kristian Stokoe is Tiny Tim with Lindsay Kellegher as the Ghost of Christmas Past and Andrew Howe as the Ghost of Christmas present.

Scrooge is on at the Civic Hall from Tuesday, December 2 to Friday, December 7 at 7pm with a matinee on Saturday, December 6 at 2.30pm.

Tickets are all £8 on Tuesday with adults £10 and concessions £8 for all other performances. They are available from Civic Hall box office on 01207 299110.