A TRAGIC folk story is coming to Tavistock College next week, presented by a talented and passionate cast of around 20 students.

Blood Brothers, the studio version, will feature some of the well-known heart wrenching classic songs, as performed in the West End.

The story is of twin brothers, Mickey and Eddie, separated at birth — one grows up with Mrs Johnstone, his natural mother, a working class woman, who has more children than she can afford, and the other is given to his mother's employer.

The twins end up meeting by chance, and become friends, but the relationship has tragic consequences.

Nick Lewis, head of performance studies at the college, has directed the production — an added bonus for the students as he was an understudy for the character of Mickey, and played the character Eddie on tour and in the West End.

He said: 'Blood Brothers is fun to watch — but then it hits you with a power punch at the end!

'I am so proud of the company — they are nervous but they love it.

'I feel that this cast is better than some I have seen in Blood Brothers in the West End.

'There are 25 students in the cast and others on the crew and technical side, and the company features students from 15 to 18-years-old in years 10 to 13.'

The production is being staged in the main hall of Tavistock College from Wednesday, December 2 to Saturday, December 5 at 7pm.

Tickets cost £8 for adults and £5 for concessions.

Tickets are available from the main reception and a few will be available on the door.

The performances will be raising funds to make the hall into a community theatre and to up-date its facilities.