THE sun will come out for some poorly children in Salisbury thanks to the generosity of Salisbury Amateur Operatic Society.

This award-winning group is performing the heart-warming musical Annie and sponsoring Naomi House, the children's hospice at Sutton Scotney.

Earlier this month David Coxon, playing the bald-headed Daddy Warbucks, had all his hair shaved off and all proceeds went to the hospice.

Broadway at its most effervescent, Annie is the uplifting rags-to-riches story of an 11-year-old orphan who longs for her parents to rescue her from a New York orphanage and its mean matron Miss Hannigan (Camilla Burgess).

Annie is offered the chance of a lifetime when billionaire Oliver Warbucks decides to adopt her, but not before Miss Hannigan and her brother Rooster (Julian Jeffrey) with girlfriend Lily (Claire Sainsbury) scheme to kidnap Annie and claim the reward money for rescuing her themselves.

This captivating show is under the professional directorship of Jeremy Tustin who says: "The Salisbury production of Annie is energetic, lively and a new take on an established musical."

Picked out of hundreds of audition hopefuls, Freya Evans and Charlotte Euridge share the role of Annie supported by a company of local children playing the orphans and there's even a dog!

The show is packed with great songs including You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile, It's A Hard Knock Life, Easy Street and Tomorrow.

Musical director John Dempster adds: "This show is full of enthusiasm. This really is the feel-good family musical and the sun may not always be out in these November days, but be assured it will be shining all over the City Hall stage."

Salisbury City Hall. Tuesday, November 23 to Saturday, 27. Tickets: from £8.50. Box office: 01722 434434.