A Suffolk school matron who stepped into the lead role of an amateur theatre production at the last minute ended up waist deep in a muddy puddle as she recreated a classic moment of British television comedy.

Angela Robertson, who directs productions for Kesgrave Amateur Theatre Society (KATS), had adapted the script from The Vicar of Dibley – written by Richard Curtis, who owns a home in Walberswick – for the group’s next stage performance.

Hoping to remain as true to the original as possible, Ms Robertson included the fateful moment when Dawn French’s character jumped into a puddle only to find it far deeper than she had imagined.

The role had originally been given to another performer, but when she pulled out for personal reasons Ms Robertson stepped up to the mark – and into the puddle!

The scene was filmed in advance of the play to overcome technical difficulties of recreating it on stage.

“It’s been successfully filmed and I am glad I did it – its another tick off my bucket-list,” she said.

Ms Robertson, who is a school matron at Orwell Park School, performs alongside the school’s religious education teacher, Tristan King, who plays her love interest in the play.

The play runs from February 19-21 at the Thomas Theatre, Kesgrave High School.

To find out more visit KATS’ website www.katsonstage.co.uk.