The rags to riches story of Dick Whittington is being brought to the stage by Trowbridge Players this week.

With a cast of 25, Dick Whittington and his cat opens tonight at the Arc Theatre, part of Trowbridge College, which is still used by the Players and other amateur groups.

Tommy the cat, played by Sarah Hanks, is the star of the show as he guides Dick Whittington to find his fame and fortune.

Dick, played by Angela Watson, is a poor orphan boy who, hearing of the great city of London where the streets were said to be paved with gold, sets off to seek his fortune.

But he isn’t successful at first, only triumphing when Tommy the cat comes to his rescue.

Directing the Players’ production is Angela Giddings, who played Dick the last time the group staged the pantomime.

She said: “I had a lot of fun when I played Dick, some ten years ago. It is a fun panto and we are having a great time getting it all together for this year’s production. Although the author Ben Crocker wrote it to include only six key players he has allowed us to have a full cast of 25.

“Characters such as Idle Jack will keep the children entertained with his great one-liners – he would rather be doing anything else rather than working in Alderman Fitzwarren’s shop.

“Sarah the Cook is the dame and is played by Pete Grant, a panto favourite who always creates a great rapport with the audience.”

There are evening productions from tonight until Saturday, with matinees on Saturday and Sunday.

The Players then take a break for a few nights, returning to run from Thursday to Sunday, January 16-19, with the same five shows.

Tickets: £9 from the box office, (01225) 753676, or on www.arctheatre.org.uk