NO need to whisper or keep it under your hat, there will be a performance of "The Secret Garden" at Severn Stoke.

The event is being organised as a fundraiser by the Friends of St Denys's Church and the venue for the play will be the idyllic setting of Severn Bank House.

A spokesman said: "Following last year’s highly successful open air theatre performance, The Friends have booked another production to be staged by Heartbreak Productions.

"The company will be performing the popular “The Secret Garden” by Frances Hodgson-Burnett which it is hoped will appeal to a wide family audience."

The spokesman added: "People are invited to bring a picnic, together with garden chairs or rugs, and why not bring some wine or beers to enjoy on what we hope will be a lovely late summer afternoon. We hope it won’t rain this year – although people coped admirably last year and the cast were amazing. They will keep performing so long as there is an audience!"

The Friends are accumulating funds to undertake the modernisation of the 800 year old St. Denys's Church in Severn Stoke "so that its heritage can be enjoyed more widely as a community asset and facility".

This will include connecting a water supply and drainage, installing toilet facilities, a small kitchen and improving the heating and lighting "and providing a more welcoming entrance".

The performance will take place on Sunday, September 3, at 2.30pm.

Tickets on 01684-560927 and 07813 362533.