a replica of part of a world war two submarine is nearing completion in a workshop in Horrabridge.

The unusual craft will form the background for three performances of the three-act drama 'Morning Departure' to be staged in St John's Church, starting at 7.30pm on March 21, 22 and 23.

The play is being produced by the Horrabridge Cavaliers, with the support and assistance of West Devon Borough Council by way of a grant, several other village organisations, including the local primary school and PTA, the Sea Scouts and local businesses.

The play is based on a novel by Kenneth Woollard, which was made into a film released in 1950, starring John Mills, Nigel Patrick, Richard Attenborough and Bernard Lee. It tells the story of RN Submarine S.14, which sank in the English Channel after striking a mine back in 1940, and the attempts of the rescue and salvage crews to save the survivors trapped in it.

The action alternates between the men in the submarine, and the land-based agencies trying to arrange rescue or salvage of the vessel.

Horrabridge Cavaliers is a group dedicated to raising money for good causes in the village. It was founded in 1977 and over the years has raised and distributed tens of thousands of pounds through village fetes, barbecues, quizzes, raffles and the annual bottle auction.

The cavaliers are breaking new ground with a dramatic production that will see the space between the choir stalls in St John's Church made to look like the interior of a 1940s vintage submarine, complete with a two-man escape hatch.

The 1940s atmosphere will be carried through in the two intervals, when usherettes will serve refreshments to the audience.

Tickets are on sale at £5 each in the London Inn and the Leaping Salmon in Horrabridge, Bidder's Shop in Yelverton or can be ordered by emailing [email protected]">[email protected] or [email protected]">[email protected] or by phoning the ticket hotline on 01822 853865.