THREE Little Maids took a break from rehearsals to take a trip to a Bolton rock garden.

Hannah Carolan, Eleanor Molloy and Jennie Henshaw took inspiration from the Japanese-style bridge at Moss Bank Park's Rock Garden ahead of starring in The Mikado.

Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic opera — which revolves around a young fellow named Nanki-Poo who has banished himself from the little town of Titipu — is being staged by New Rosemere AOS.

It is on at Walmsley Church Hall, Egerton, from March 10 to 14.

The Rock Garden was reopened after renovation by the Friends of Moss Bank Park in 2012 but is currently closed to public access over the winter period.

Hannah, Eleanor and Jennie — who are playing Yum–Yum, Pitti-Sing and Peep-Bo — were admitted as honorary friends of the garden where they dodged rocks, paths and pools to pose in their show costumes and admire the work of the volunteers and council staff.

Hannah said: "We can’t wait to come back and see the garden when it opens in spring and with all the work going on, it’s sure to be lovely.

“But we’ve enough on our plate rehearsing for The Mikado for the time being."

Craftsman gardener Ralph Barton and chargehand Jarvis Lynch, from Bolton Council's grounds maintenance team, joined the girls for a quick chorus of the show's hit song Three Little Maids from School.

Ralph said: "We get all sorts of folk visiting the garden and taking photographs but this is the first time I’ve seen anything like this.”

The Mikado will also star Ed Barrow, who jets in from his home in Madeira each year, as well as chorus member Katherine Seager, who will enjoy a 21st birthday appearance on stage on March 14 — the 150th anniversary of the show’s opening at the Savoy Theatre in London.

New Rosemere AOS will perform The Mikado at Walmsley Church Hall, Egerton, from March 10 to 14.

For more information or tickets, visit newrosemere.com or call Helen on 01204 300666.