AN opera group needs help to find the patron saint of lost things.

The Operetta Company of Farnworth has issued an urgent appeal for a statue of St Anthony of Padua — the patron saint of finding things or lost people.

It is needed to feature in a forthcoming operetta, Summer Song, with the music of Dvo?ák, being staged from March 4 to 7 at Trinity Church, Market Street.

During the show, there is a wedding scene in which St Anthony features and a small note is placed behind his statue.

Musical director Robert Aston said: “We could get one from a church but churches are actually using them.

“He’s a very popular Catholic saint.

“He was a great one for supporting the poor.

“The company is hoping that someone might be willing to lend such a statue to us for a week or so.

“It needs to be between one and three — ideally two — feet tall and will, of course, be treated with respect and care.”

The operetta is set in the summer of 1893 when a seemingly endless tour conducting in America’s concert halls leaves Antonín Dvo?ák tired and drained of inspiration.

He finds himself in a remote town where the famous Czech composer gratefully takes a brief sabbatical, playing the piano in the saloon of hard-headed Irish woman, Ma Flannagan.

The story unfolds and, refreshed, it gives him the inspiration for the New World Symphony.

Mr Aston added: “It is unusual in the fact that the principal character, Dvo?ák, does not sing but the operetta is filled with his wonderful music.

“It is a wonderfully bright and cheerful show, full of good humour and great tunes.

“We picked this one because it’s one of the old favourites that people want to see and nobody ever does.”

Summer Song features a cast of about 50 and is a semi-staged production, featuring an orchestra.

It runs from Wednesday, March 4, to Saturday, March 7, at Trinity Church, Farnworth, at 7.30pm.

Phone 07599 951429 for tickets and anyone with a statue of St Anthony should e mail Mr Aston, robert@stoneyacre.freeserve.co.uk.