FLAGS are flying from North Tawton Town Hall, a big poster hangs outside and final rehearsals are under way for the town’s drama group’s production of a well-loved play.

"Goodnight Mister Tom" is the show being staged by Actors of North Tawton Society (ANTS) from Wednesday, May 29 to Saturday, June 1, doors opening at 7pm for a 7.30pm start each evening.

Producer, director and stage manager is "Twiggy" Lake. It is a play he has always wanted to do, this year was a good chance to do so with the World War Two anniversaries.

Some of the staging is really ingenious, wait for North Tawton’s own Liberty Belles and some of the singing really is very good.

It has taken almost a year to put the show together, even the children at the town’s primary school have become involved, they are studying WW2 and the Blitz.

Another school to be involved is Moreton Hall in Shropshire. Twiggy’s daughter works there, when she asked her pupils if they would like to help, they said they would make the gas mask boxes, which they did.

The hats were made by the Minack Theatre in Cornwall who also lent Sammy the black and white dog.

Twiggy said ANTS was grateful for the grant from the Den Brook Community Fund which meant they could buy new lights, a communication system between all the people working backstage and their own sound system.

"This means we can now add extra bits as we can afford them," said Twiggy. "We have more members of Young ANTS which is from 10 years upwards and we have more new members backstage helping, too.

"’Goodnight Mister Tom’ is an emotional roller coaster, so many people know the story, it is a really good show to do," added Twiggy.

Be prepared for some surprises and take tissues for the laughter and tears. There are several singalong numbers, too.