THOUSANDS of pounds and months of hard work have created a first class theatre stage at Carnkie Village hall where the local theatre group are now staging an updated panto tale of Robinson Crusoe.

For many years Carnkie Players had to put up with their 100-year-old stage, which was rotten in places but thanks to a £5,000 National Lottery grant and the same amount raised by the Players themselves they now have a spring-loaded stage.

The new stage can be retracted so that other groups - such as the indoor bowls players - can use the full length of the hall.

This is the first time the hall has been used for a production since the completion of the work.

New curtains were provided by Camborne and Redruth Dramatic Society (CARDS), which now uses the hall.

The stage has new lighting and the hall has been completely redecorated to a high standard. The new stage certainly looks set to be well tested when a large cast tread the boards for the popular tale of a man stranded on a desert island.

Labour MP for Falmouth and Camborne Candy Atherton turned up on Saturday to officially open the new hall and stayed to see some of the show.

The Carnkie Players version of Robinson Crusoe was written and directed by David Carlisle. Mr Carlisle has brought this traditional tale up-to-date to include a bunch of cannibals, a dragon - even the archetypal sleuths Sherlock Holmes and Watson get a look in. This weekend sees the final performances, which begin at 7.30pm on Friday and 7pm on Saturday. Tickets, £3.50 adults and £2.50 for children, may be pre-booked from Mrs Fuller on 01736 753763.