A PYJAMA factory is the setting for the latest offering from Malvern Light Opera Society.

Pyjamas might not sound that glamorous, but when you discover that the leading lady is called Babe Williams and her outfit consists of the top half of a slinky red pair of pyjamas, nightwear takes on a new meaning.

Harriet Franklin, who plays Babe in the society's production of The Pajama Game, has gone to extraordinary lengths to make sure she looks the part.

"I've lost a stone and a half and I've gone extra blonde," she said. "I'm usually a natural mouse but I'm definitely sticking with this look. Blondes definitely have more fun!"

This is Harriet's biggest part since she joined the company last year, although she has been performing in amateur dramatics since she was three years old.

The popular musical comedy, which was first premiered on Broadway in 1954, is an entertaining story of a threatened strike at the Sleep Tite Pajama Factory - taking the American spelling - where the workers' fun and love complications take first priority.

"It's a great laugh and also very stylised and I'm sure it's going to be a great success," said Harriet.

Her sidekick, Ben Leeke, who plays Sid Sorokin, the new factory foreman, has followed Harriet's example and is now a regular face at the gym, firming up his "wobbly bits" and defining his pecs.

While Harriet gets to wear the top half of the pyjamas, Ben, a firefighter from Upton-upon-Severn, has to wear the bottoms and says he's dreading the exposure.

"I suppose in a macabre way I'm looking forward to it but I'm very scared, partly because I'm a big bloke, I'm 6ft 1ins and although I've lost one and a half stone it's still my biggest fear," he said.

This is Ben's third show with the society. Last year, he played Curly in Oklahoma.

"It's another Paul Jones epic. He's a well-known director and it's very much in his style - a big, 50s production with a wow-factor. It's very energetic with plenty of dancing and singing, which is why I need to be spectacularly fit!"

The Malvern Light Opera Society was formed in 1943 and recent shows have included Oklahoma, South Pacific, The Merry Widow and Gilbert and Sullivan productions.

This year the company is supporting the Tuberous Sclerosis Association, which funds research into the genetic disorder disease.

The Pajama Game is at the Malvern Theatres from Tuesday, March 13 to Saturday, March 17.

Tickets, priced from £8 to £10, are available from the box office on 01684 892277.