THE Pied Piper will call the tune in Briton Ferry from tomorrow.

Briton Ferry Little Theatre brings the classic fairytale to the stage, running at the town's Community Centre until Saturday.

Like many of the ancient folk tales and legends the Pied Piper of Hamelin has a dark undercurrent and a shadowy history, but Briton Ferry is bringing out its softer side for this family panto.

The tale sees the piper, a rat-catcher, hired by the town to lure an infestation of the rodents away from its streets with his magic pipe. When the citizens refuses to pay him for his services he retaliates by turning his magic on their children, leading them away as he had the rats.

Phil Williams, from the group, said it would be a fun-filled show: "Everyone is working hard and rehearsals are going well. The cast is made up of 10 to 12 people with the Pied Piper being played by Pauline Mills.

"It is a family panto and includes lots of singing and dancing, as well as audience participation. It is going to be a fantastic panto and everyone is welcome to come along and join us."

This is the group's first production of the year, with spring and autumn productions planned.

The show gets under way at 7pm on weekdays and at 5pm on Saturday.