HISTORICAL characters will be brought to life through a series of unique theatrical performances taking place at Croome Court.

Visitors to National Trust court can watch Croome Encounters, a band of local actors are sharing the stories of Croome’s hidden history of the 1940s and the 1970s.

Rachel Sharpe, local partnerships officer, said: "The performances were a huge success with visitors last year. They are an exciting way of telling Croome’s wonderful tales to people in an interesting and different way.

"So far they have created three distinctive performances called Memories of Maria about the tragic Maria Gunning; Minnie and the Jollop about the infamous and real life accidental poisoning of the under butler and a spooky Hallowe’en ghost-hunting saga A Strange Encounter."

Until September, ‘Croome Encounters’ will be telling two new and fascinating stories with live performances and visitors are encouraged to follow the tales around the house immersing themselves in the stories as they go.

One of the performances, Croome For Sale! is based in 1948 when Croome Court was for sale.

The other story, The Great Escape, takes visitors on a journey through 1973 with a character called William who is based on a real experience of some of the pupils during the time the house was a school for disadvantaged boys.

Croome Encounters, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, are being performed in the house, throughout the day, every Sunday until Sunday, September 27. The free performances start in the basement of the house at 11.25am, 1.15pm and 2.45pm.

For more information contact 01905 371006 or visit nationaltrust.org.uk/croome.