Okehampton's amateur dramatic society is celebrating a big New Year boost, which will enable them to invest and improve for future productions in the town.

The Courtenay Players, which in their 60-year history have produced some 160 shows, have been awarded a grant of £4,000 by the Okehampton United Charities and recently received the cheque from the organisation's Karen Percival.

Roger Partridge, who is producing and directing the company's forthcoming show, Humbug, said the grant was 'absolutely brilliant' news.

He said: 'We are going to buy some new equipment which we have been desperate to get — it's a very generous offer.

'We will be able to get a big four-bank floodlight, and because the Charter Hall stage isn't really big enough for some of our productions, we are going to get a couple of big metro-decks, which are like platforms, the same height as the stage, plus a big 1,000 watt spotlight.

'We are absolutely over the moon about it — it's equipment that we would struggle to get because it's pretty pricey stuff.

'As a producer you are always concerned about the cost of everything and really, this is taking the worry away, and there will probably be a surplus that we will be able to use to fund this next show — it's brilliant news.'

Roger has a cast of 60 taking part in Humbug, which will run at the Charter Hall from January 9 to 14, with performances at 7.30pm.

'There are something over 30 children taking part as well, which bodes well for the future,' he said.

'Humbug is the story of Scrooge — whilst we didn't think about it at the time, it coincides with the 200th anniversary of Charles Dickens' birth in 2012, so without knowing it, we are taking advantage of the date!

'It's a true Christmas story, it's pantomim-ey, it's very light-hearted, and it's a great family show.'

Karen Percival, clerk to the Okehampton United Charities, said the organisation was 'delighted' to have been able to support the Courtenay Players, enabling the group to invest in new equipment and to further sponsor their new production.