A DOCTOR, a beast, Queen Elizabeth I, the winter queen and good old Sir Frances Drake are just some of the characters who will bring seasonal cheer to the audience filling the Great Barn of Buckland Abbey with the help of Dartmoor Border Morris this weekend.

The Mummers play is based on a medieval play, something similar to the ancient miracle plays, but with a slight pagan and a local twist.

A spokesman for Dartmoor Border Morris said: 'Originally the main charters would have been St George killing off the dragon but as we are in Sir Francis`s old house, we thought a slight change of character would be fitting.

So now you have the story of Sir Francis Drake defeating King Phillip of Spain, to illustrate how good always overcomes evil, with the help of a doctor, a winter queen, a green man and a beast called Chatterley.'

The short play will be followed by Morris dancing with an opportunity to have a go.   The traditional mummers play at Buckland Abbey takes place on Sunday, December 15 at 1pm and again at 2.30pm.