AS PART of the Summer Fun programme for children, Ferneham Hall, in Fareham is proud to welcome The Forgotten Nursery.

This enchanting show (pictured) includes sparkling costumes and amazing effects - guaranteed to capture the hearts of young and old.

The Forgotten Nursery tells the story of 12-year-old twins, Jack and Jill, who discover a hidden Victorian nursery while their family is viewing Kingsley Hall - one-time home of famed toy-maker, Henry J Kingsley.

Jack and Jill are amazed to discover that the toys inside the nursery have come to life, and have remained hidden for over a century.

Packed with original, toe-tapping songs, traditional nursery rhymes and audience participation, The Forgotten Nursery is an enthralling show for family members of all ages.

The UK's fastest-growing children's theatre producers, The Panto Company, have launched a brand-new, first-of-its-kind competition - the chance to design a character which will come to life on stage! This new character will appear in the sequel to The Forgotten Nursery.

The Panto Company are now busy writing the sequel to the show, and need the help of children in our area to create a new toy for the nursery. The character can be based upon a toy from home, or designed from scratch.

All your children have to do is draw a picture of their creation, and give it a name. They should also write a short paragraph about the toy, explaining what type of character it is.

Entries should be posted to Create A Character Contest, The Panto Company, The Old Police Station, Front Street West, Bedlington, Northumberland, NE22 6HR.

The closing date for entries is September 15, 2004.

Once a winning entry is chosen, the toy will be incorporated into the show, and a costume, based on the winner's design, will be made.

Not only that, the winning child's entry will be included in the show's souvenir brochure, and they will receive six free tickets for the opening night, enabling them to witness their creation as it comes to life for the very first time.

The competition is open to children under the age of 16.

For further details, contact Tommy Donbavand on 01670 828249, or visit www.thepantocompany.com

The Forgotten Nursery will be at Fareham's Ferneham Hall on August 23, at 2.30pm.

Tickets, priced £7.50 (Ferneham SuperSaver four tickets for £28), are available from the ticket hotline on 01329 231942.