No pockets needed picking for a Suffolk school to raise hundreds of pounds for charity at their sell-out production of musical favourite, Oliver!

Pupils from The Abbey, Woodbridge School’s preparatory department, showed they’d do anything to help St Elizabeth Hospice and East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices, collecting more than £800 over three nights at a packed Seckford Theatre.

The production involved 88 year five and six pupils who auditioned at Easter for parts in the classic British musical based on Dickens’ Oliver Twist, with music and lyrics by Lionel Bart.

Feedback from the audience said the pupils, aged 10 and 11, were “truly professional” and that the production was “fantastic, amazing and incredible”.

Nick Garrett, head of The Abbey, said: “I was so impressed by the level of performance this year.

“This is The Abbey spirit at its best, with everyone helping each other and ‘having a go’. I am so very proud of all the pupils who took part.”