STARS of the stage and small screen will be bringing one of Shakespeare's most famous tales to Bolton.

On the 400th anniversary since the bard's death, the Octagon Theatre has teamed up with the University of Bolton to present The Winter's Tale.

Directed by David Thacker, the play is a mix of drama, song, dance and laughter which follows the story of King Leontes on his hunt for redemption after a a paranoid delusion that his wife, Hermione, is having an affair with his best friend tears apart families in friendships.

The cast of 15 features a mix of well-known faces on the town's biggest stage, including Bolton and Bury-born soap stars and award-winning theatre actors.

Mr Thacker said: "The Winter's Tale is one of my favourite plays and a great challenge for any director.

"I'm delighted to be working with such an outstanding company of actors and such a talented Creative Team and I can't wait to start rehearsing this beautiful, powerful and profoundly moving play."

In the leading role of the jealous King Leontes is Rob Edwards, who is currently playing Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird at the Octagon.

Bolton-born former Emmerdale actress Amy Nuttall is taking on the role of Hermione, all will be known to audiences for screen roles including Kate in Death in Paradise, Caitlin Standing in New Tricks and Agnes in The Musketeers, as well as performing on stage.

Also currently starring in To Kill a Mockingbird, Bury actress Vicky Binns, known to households as Coronation Street's Molly Dodds, will be taking on a role alongside Mockingbird co-stars Marc Small, Trevor Michael Georges, Remmie Milner and Christian Edwards and Philip Starnier, who both appeared in Singin' in the Rain.

Other television names include Leila Mimmack from ITV Home Fires and 2015 film High-Rise.

Manchester Theatre Award winner Barbara Drennan will also be back on the Octagon stage with Christopher Wright, Margot Leicester, Eric Potts, Harry Long and Colin Connor.

Mr Thacker added: "It's the perfect play to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death for it was the last-but-one play he wrote all by himself - about five years before he died.

"Shakespeare wrote the play soon after his baby grand-daughter Elizabeth was born - the inspiration for the three babies in his late plays.

"Through the love and grace of these beautiful young girls the terrible mistakes of the older generation are redeemed. It was a play of hope for his time - and for all time."

The Winter’s Tale is on from Friday, October 21, to Saturday, November 5.