A KENT drama group is helping the News Shopper campaign to raise money for a local children's charity.

The first joint production between the Hartley Players and the Hartley Gilbert and Sullivan group will be the traditional panto, Mother Goose.

Half the profits will go to the News Shopper's charity, the Demelza House Appeal.

So far more than £3,000 has been raised for the appeal to keep the Sittingbourne care home running.

And with two of the shows already sold out, the home is in line to receive a great deal more money thanks to this production.

Hartley Players secretary Marion Simmons is enthusiastic about the panto.

She said: "It is a really excellent production which is fun for the whole family.

"We wanted to put something together that was just light fun. There are no adult jokes.

"There is loads of audience participation. We get the children up on stage and we throw sweets to them. They will really enjoy it."

And there is no better cause the money could go to than the Demelza House fund. The News Shopper has been campaigning for a change in the law in the way children's care homes are funded.

Mrs Simmons said: "The Gilbert and Sullivan group picked the charity and we thought, because it is our local children's home, we would help to support it.

"It does need the money so if we can help in any way then we will. It's also a great way of getting money because people will get a lot of enjoyment out of the production."

The Hartley Players and the Hartley Gilbert and Sullivan Society will be performing Mother Goose at the Hartley Women's Institute, Ash Road, Hartley, until February 23. Tickets cost £5 but there are concessions available for adults and children. To find out more and to check ticket availability, call Heather Powell in the box office on 01474 704118.