THE costumes are ready and the cast are gearing up for a Bolton high school's musical spectacular that has been a year in the making.

Pupils from across the range of classes at Thornleigh Salesian College, Sharples Park, are hoping for bumper crowds at the opening night of their ambitious production of the classic West Side Story, when it opens on at the school on Wednesday.

School spokesman Jacqui Topham said planning for the production began a year ago and the school has pulled out all the stops -- even drafting in professional choreographers to help the children with the dance routines and fight scenes.

The stage classic, with words and music by Arthur Laurents and Leonard Bernstein, is an all-singing, all-dancing 20th century take on Romeo and Juliet, telling the tale of star-crossed lovers Maria and Tony and the rival gangs, the Jets and the Sharks.

Mrs Topham said: "There has been an incredible amount of hard work that has gone into this by staff and pupils and we are hoping for a lot of support."

The production runs from Wednesday until Saturday at 7.15pm, but the weekend show is already sold-out.

Tickets for the other shows are selling fast, but are available from the school, priced £5 adults and £4 students and OAPs, on 01204 301351.