Thornden HALL at Chandler's Ford is staging Les Miserables - its first ever West End style musical.

The show, from January 29 to 31, is being performed by Thornden Operatic and Musical Society.

They are a newly formed company of more than 50 young performers from Thornden School, Toynbee School, and students from Peter Symonds, Barton Peveril and Eastleigh Colleges - giving it a true community feel.

The cast has been hard at work throughout the autumn under the experienced direction of Hannalie Bekker-Spies and David Tatnall.

This special schools edition of Les Miserables has been reduced in length but retains all the extraordinary songs from the original version,

The compelling and complex music makes great demands on the vocal skills of the performers but they are all rising to the challenge.

Additional lighting and sound equipment is being installed into the state-of-the-art concert hall in preparation for this ambitious project.

A team of volunteers has been busy putting together costumes and props with the help of local amateur theatre groups. Thornden Hall is buzzing with activity.

Performances are at 7.30pm on January 29, 30 and 31, with a matinee starting at 2pm on the Saturday.

Tickets are available from the school by ringing 023 8026 5852.