YOUNGSTERS at a city amateur dramatic group are hoping to hit the right note with their latest production, The Music Man, but they have a major problem a lack of musical instruments.

Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society's Youth Section (WODYS) is staging the production at the city's Swan Theatre next year and need as many brass band instruments as possible for the cast of some 60 youngsters.

The Music Man is the endearing story of travelling salesman, Harold Hill, and his visit to a small Iowa town in 1912.

With his fast-talking style, "Professor" Harold Hill convinces the town that unless they adopt his revolutionary music programme, the morale of the youngsters of River City will be forever doomed.

He cons the parents into buying instruments and expensive uniforms in order to form a band.

It is the happiest, most cheering show imaginable with splendid numbers such as Trouble and Seventy-Six Trombones.

We need the instruments for the town band. The youngsters will not actually need to play them. All the music will be done professionally. But some of the cast do need to hold instruments," explained director and producer David Humphries.

We need everything from triangles and trumpets to symbols and saxophones, and, of course, trombones.

They don't have to be good instruments, old ones will be fine. We just need to use them on stage for a short time, he added.

Unless WODYS can beg, borrow, or rent some instruments the show is in peril of not being up to the society's usual professional standard.

Their production this year Godspell, also at The Swan Theatre was a sell-out and raised almost £700 for the Acorns Children's Hospice appeal.

We are hoping the public can help us turn a major crisis into a minor one," said Mr Humphries.

WODYS cast of eight to 18 year-olds will be staging The Music Man from Tuesday, July 31 to Saturday, August 4, next year.

Anyone who can help provide the instruments is asked to contact the group's secretary Mrs Sonia Armstrong on 01905 25422.