GIANT rats are about to infect Runcorn’s Brindley Theatre.

The scary vermin are part of a new production of The Pied Piper which runs from Thursday, July 28 to Sunday, July 31.

Almost 100 children from Runcorn and Widnes have been chosen to perform in this musical.

The youngsters will play a variety of characters from woodland creatures and fairies to trogs and rats.

The rats’ leader Marshall Moulder has a sidekick Corporal Canker and their devilish plans nearly bring ruin to the town.

However as in the traditional tale they are thwarted by PeterThe Pied Piper.

For citizens of the rich town of Hamelin this comes at a terrible price.

All their children become trapped in a mountain cave.

Fortunately a possible means of escape is revealed by Mistress Spellbind who explains the legend of the locked mountain and the terms of the hazardous quest to break its powerful hold.

A host of magical characters include dotty Heterogenians, the mighty flame dancers and the cannibalistic trogs.

The musical is written by Anne Dalton and staged by ABD Productions.

Tickets priced £12 for concessions and children up to 16, £16 for adults, family tickets £50, groups of 20 or more £12 are available from the box office on 0151 907 8360 and online at thebrindley.org.uk.