AT their final rehearsal for this year's production of The Merry Wives of Windsor, Shakespeare Live's directors Pat Cannings and Graham Paton were delighted to present a donation of £400to one of the volunteer riders for Free Wheelers, a local charity who deliver blood products by motor bike around the area.

Richard Reeves, who is in charge of fundraising for Free Wheelers, said "This money will take our bikes about 3,500 miles and given we now cover in excess of 178,000 miles you can see this will make a big difference to us."

The Merry Wives of Windsor opens on Monday (july2) and runs until Saturday, July 7 with performances every evening plus a Saturday matinee, at Cleeve House, Seend, near Melksham.

Audience members are invited to arrive up to 90 minutes before each show to picnic in the lovely gardens or to sample the refreshments on offer, before settling into their seats in the covered stand to watch this very funny play.

This is Shakespeare Live's 30th season, and, as always, production standards are very high, with the audience transported to 16th century Windsor to revel in the very funny chaos caused by Falstaff's twin aims of making money and seducing women.

Tickets and more details from www.shakespearelive.com or call 07780 938107.