THE famous fable of two lost children is being brought to life with the help of a new Bolton-based group.

Outreach Opera is staging the story of Hansel and Gretel at Hoghton Tower this Sunday.

The small outfit, which barely 12 months has set out on a mission to get more people involved in and watching opera by making it more accessible.

As part of that mission the team has been working with school children and members of the community in both Bolton and Preston in preparation for its first production.

Member Georgina Rosanna Murray, from Lostock, said: “The idea when setting up the company was to bring opera to people who don’t otherwise have access to it.

“We have been running workshops over the school half term in Kearsley and Preston and set up in Tea Cosy Cafe in St Andrew’s Court where members of the public could come and help us make props.

“We are bringing communities and different people together.

“We couldn’t do this without the support of the community, which has been fantastic.

“There are other opera groups out there but we wanted to reach out to people and let them get involved in something completely different.”

Georgina moved to Lostock three years ago and works for Bolton Music Service.

She helped set up the company with four like-minded friends and professionals, all based in and around Bolton.

Among their outreach projects, the team has been running workshops with Kearsley West Primary School and the budding young cast members will be taking part in Sunday’s show.

The show itself promises to be a big family event.

This English opera version of Hansel and Gretel is directed by University of Bolton student Cara Novotny with musical director Jonathan Ellis.

Georgina will be taking on the role of Hansel with fellow cast member Helen Latham as sister Gretel.

Families are encouraged to bring picnics to the event where there will be stalls and entertainment.

Georgina added: “It should be a lovely way to spend the day and the opera is only a couple of hours so its not too long.

“The set and scenery is all beautiful and colourful and hopefully the sun will be shining.

“We are hoping for a good turn out as we are looking to doing many more things like this in the future.”

Hoghton Tower’s Theatre on the Lawn – Hansel & Gretel The Opera – starts at 2.30pm.Tickets from hoghtontower.co.uk.