THE Crowstarver, a gripping tale for children aged eight to 13, is at Malvern Theatres next week.

The play is based on a book by Dick King-Smith, who also wrote The Sheep Pig, which was made into the award-winning movie Babe.

Set during the Second World War, The Crowstarver tells of a boy, Spider Sparrow, abandoned as a baby in a lambing pen, who grows up to have an amazing way with animals.

It runs from Wednesday to Saturday, April 12-15. Tickets are £9 adults, £7 children and £35 for family of four.