BLACKBURN Drama Club members had to pit their wits when a production problem came to head just days before a prestigious opening night.

The club is presenting Brassed Off at the new Thwaites Theatre in Bolton Road from tonight.

But as curtain-up approached the pit helmets they needed to ensure an authentic performance failed to arrive.

It meant a club official had to dash to Doncaster yesterday to pick up the required pit props, just hours ahead of the final dress rehearsal last night.

Brassed Off is the stage version of the famous film starring Pete Postlethwaite which took the country's cinemas by storm in the late '90s.

It tells the story of a group of miners who are threatened with redundancy, but find solace making music in the colliery brass band.

And to ensure the night hits the right note the Haslingden and Helmshore Brass band will be on hand to play the haunting soundtrack.

Blackburn Drama Club is presenting Brassed Off at the Thwaites Theatre from tonight until Saturday at 7.30pm.