ACS Cobham community celebrated their new performing arts centre with Oliver the musical, its biggest production to date.

The famous Dickensian’s tale of the boy who asked for more sold more than 1,000 tickets in three days of performances last March.

It was the first production of this kind that featured a cast and crew of more than 80 members formed of students, teachers, parents, administrators and alumni.

Head of drama Darryl Nel, who directed the play and also took on the role of Fagin, said: "We wanted to celebrate the opening of our new venue with this large-scale production so everyone could enjoy the wonderful new facilities.

"Everyone involved in the production worked exceptionally hard; it was fantastic to see that hard work pay off and to watch the cast, crew and audience enjoy our new space."

Younger students performed as orphans in the workhouse, teachers as homeless cockneys and 18 High School musicians made up the live orchestra.