A NEW season of children's Saturday shows is launched at Southampton's Nuffield theatre this week.

The programme of original plays aimed at audiences of three and over runs every Saturday in the run-up to Christmas, with performances at 11am and 2pm.

The first show of the season is Moby Duck's production of The Story That Went to Sea, which takes place this Saturday.

Travelling between Britain, West Africa, South Asia and the Caribbean, this spellbinding show is told using Indian and African dance, live music and haunting masks and puppets.

On September 20 there is a visit from The Drones, who specialise in visually entertaining performances complemented by unusual music made with the help of flowerpots, didgeridoos and other weird and wonderful instruments.

If I Was a Giant, on September 27, is about a young boy, Pete, who dreams of magical adventures one night.

From October 2-5, in the main auditorium, audiences are treated to a stage adaptation of the classic children's animation Mr Benn.

Produced by the Nuffield's own Theatre First company, The Extraordinary Adventures of Mr Benn tells the much-loved story of the bowler-hatted little man and his amazing trips into time and space - which all start when he steps through the door of a fancy dress shop.

Highlights for the rest of the season include George and the Dragon (October 11), The Steadfast Tin Soldier (October 18), Burglar Bill (October 25), The Worm That Squirmed (November 1) and Mum and the Monster (November 8).

Seasonal shows include When Snow Falls (November 15) and The Nutcracker (November 22), about the contents of a magical toyshop.

As well as the shows themselves, a range of workshops has been lined up to give children the opportunity to get more involved in theatre.

For tickets and information about the children's theatre season, call the Nuffield box office on 023 8067 1771.