The Fairfield was transformed into the enchanted world of The Borrowers last week in a charming production which captivated hundreds of children over the Easter holidays.

It was a faithful interpretation of Mary Norton's classic novel, adapted for the stage by award-winning children's playwright Charles Way.

The Borrowers are tiny people who live under the floorboards and borrow all their belongings from human beans'. In this tale, the only family of Borrowers left in the house is the Clocks, made up of mum Homily, dad Pod and daughter Arrietty.

The other families have been driven out by the nasty human housekeeper, which means the Clocks have to be careful not to be seen.

On Arrietty's first excursion above the floorboards she is spotted by a human boy who befriends her.

But the friendship prompts danger in the shape of the nasty housekeeper, who drives the Clock family out of the house and into the fields, where more adventures follow.

This production cleverly overcomes the problem of portraying the miniature figures by using puppets in the scenes when the Borrowers interact with the humans.

There were gasps from the young audience at the first appearance of the puppets but the transition from life-size to miniature is managed seamlessly.

The sets are appropriately colourful and magical-looking to entice those watching into this enchanting world.

All the performances are strong, but Jo Theaker as Arrietty and Steven Atholl as The Boy are worth a special mention they demonstrated how overacting' to a young audience can work and need not appear absurd.