STAMFORD Bridge Primary School will present a new musical, written by former teacher Frances Gill, about the famous 1066 battle in the village which ended a Viking attempt to conquer England.

Frances taught at the primary school for six years until 2002 when she moved to southern Sweden. "On leaving, I was invited by head of music Michael Wiles to write a musical for the school after he heard that my plans in Sweden were to become a composer," says Frances, who will travel home to Yorkshire for the premiere.

"Stamford Bridge has staged a musical every Easter for 35 years and in the years when I taught there, I was always amazed at the high standard of music and choral work in the school.

"Every Easter I sat in the audience and dreamed about writing a musical while being entertained by an overwhelming brilliant cacophony of children's singing."

Upon researching the history of the battle at Stamford Bridge in 1066, Michael and Frances devised the plot, and she subsequently wrote the script and music and arranged a backing CD to accompany the children's singing.

The Battle Of Stamford Bridge, The Musical will be narrated by seamstresses working on the Bayeux Tapestry, and the school company of Vikings, Englishmen and dancers will be backed by a 60-strong school choir.

Performances of the ambitious musical will be held on March 9, 11, 14 and 16 at 7pm at Stamford Bridge School, and tickets are available at £4 from the school office, telephone 01759 371430.

"Tickets for March 11 sold out the day the tickets went on sale, but there are still a few tickets left for the other performances," said Frances.

A CD recording of the work is planned for early spring.

Updated: 10:30 Saturday, March 05, 2005