ON reflection I would quite like the idea of living the life of a Borrower.

There’s the humans to watch out for of course – that cook is decidedly nasty – and there might be a cat. But life beneath the floorboards living off the food and bric-a-brac that people don’t want, need or will really miss, sounds a simple way of life to me.

Naturally, no matter how cosy life is, there is always one member of the family who longs for adventure.

In Mary Norton’s classic tale of the little people who live under the grandfather clock, it’s daughter Arrietty who has glimpsed the blue skies beyond the wall grating and longs to get out and see the world.

All it takes is a chance encounter with a visiting boy in the household above and the adventure begins.

The Borrowers is the Nuffield Theatre’s major Christmas production and offers an alternative to the usual round of pantomimes and big production shows.

But small is definitely big when it comes to this fun-filled adventure that has its fair share of special effects and clever surprises, especially in creating the scenes where giant humans interact with six-inch tall Borrowers.

Eleanor Yates plays Arrietty and Julia Hills her despairing mother Homily who, along with father Pod, played by David Alcock, set off in search of Borrowers in the big world beyond the grating.

A fine supporting cast of adults includes Oliver Hoare as the boy who befriends them. A Nuffield tradition ensures that a large troupe of children are included in roles as diverse as mice, moths and insects. And of course there’s plenty of audience participation.

It’s great fun for Borrowers of all sizes. Runs until January 8.