ON Broadway, it was the magical production that won a clutch of Tony Awards.

Next week it's arriving at the Preston Charter Theatre thanks to a North West based theatre company called Imagine Productions.

The musical of The Secret Garden is based on the classic story by Frances Hodgson Burnett and tells the story of Mary Lennox who travels to England to live with her hunchbacked Uncle Archie following the death of her parents.

She discovers his sickly young son Colin who lives alone in his room in the imposing Yorkshire mansion.

Then, Mary's isolated life changes when she finds the key to a secret walled garden which has been locked up since Archie's wife Lily died some 10 years earlier.

The lavish set by Imagine Productions includes an old ruin, a library and superb costumes.

The musical will be accompanied by an orchestra of West End musicians playing the memorable score.

Imagine's artistic director, Andy Vitolo, explained: "The show is stunning and we have a great cast.

"It's a superb musical and it's great to perform it in Preston.

"I've read the book, which is a classic. The story is so moving because you watch the garden come alive and see the two children come alive with it.

"The set is the biggest we've ever had, so everyone will feel as if they've entered the secret garden."

The Secret Garden runs from Wednesday, September 1 to Sunday, September 5 with matinees on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Tickets (costing £17, with children at £12) available on (01772) 258858.