FIREFIGHTERS are well versed in dealing with dramas so when they were called to help the Octagon they took it in their stride.

Bolton crews are among the local organisations which have helped to bring the theatre's epic production of Gulliver's Travels to the stage.

They along with Jumbles Sailing Club, Bolton Sea Cadets, RNLI have pitched in to help with the production of the classic tale being staged in the picturesque Queens Park.

The play opens on Thursday and starring alongside a professional cast ­— including an eight metre puppet ­— are members of Bolton's Amateur Theatre Societies (BATS), choirs and young people from across Bolton.

Locations in the walkabout promenade production will include the sunken garden, the glade, the lake and the amphitheatre.

And the large scale operation has meant that the theatre has called in help from organisations across Bolton to produce their first ever park show.

Bolton firefighters came to the rescue with an engine to fill four water ballasts that have been used to support set structures that are being installed to transform the park into the land of Lilliput.

As an essential part of the installation Bolton Sea Cadets and Jumbles Sailing club have supplied a dinghy that will be used to transport scenery and actors onto the lake.

Brian Hoy at Jumbles Sailing Club said: “Bolton Sea Cadets and Jumbles Sailing Club combined together to provide a boat for construction of the set and transport of the cast. Everyone was more than happy to help the Octagon. We see this as a community event which needed a specific piece of kit in order to make the show happen.”

RNLI have supplied waders to the Octagon Theatre production team enabling them to enter the lake at to build a jetty which will also be used to transport scenery and actors.

Co-director and artistic director Elizabeth Newman said: "We’re so grateful to everyone for pulling together to make Gulliver’s Travels happen for Bolton. "Especially after Summer Holiday on the buses we have just been overwhelmed by how supportive the Bolton community have been in helping us tell this important story.

"Our brilliant partners at Queens Park Café, BATS, local choirs, Bolton Music Service, Carrs Pasties and Bolton Council have been integral to helping us celebrate being Out and About whilst our theatre building is closed for redevelopment."

Queens Park was recently awarded a a prestigious Green Flag Award.

Leader of Bolton Council, Cllr Linda Thomas, GMCA lead for culture, arts and leisure, added: "This is going to be a fantastic production which will showcase our fabulous park to hundreds of people.

"The Octagon Theatre is an integral and much loved part of Bolton’s cultural landscape. Their productions delight and involve people of all ages and abilities, and we are proud that the theatre’s first ever park show will be held in Queens Park.

"Putting on a show like this in our park makes the arts available to communities throughout our borough - this is a key aim of the Town Centre Masterplan and the Octagon redevelopment project is a vital part of this."

For tickets and more information visit https://octagonbolton.co.uk/whats-on/theatre/gullivers-travels-1/