The opera, widely thought to include the most romantic music Puccini ever wrote, will be staged at the Corn Exchange on Sunday (October 5).

Among those taking part will be ten adults and six children from Lynn's Theatretrain group, which holds classes at Springwood High School on Saturday mornings.

They will be townspeople and take centre stage in front of local supporters.

A spokesman for Chatham-based Ellen Kent Amphitheatre Productions, which is staging the opera, said: "Ellen Kent is always keen to use local talent in her traditional productions to give the opportunity for the general public to be able to star alongside a professional international opera company.

"This is her way of giving back to the community and experiencing new talent blossoming on stage."

The full Chisinau National Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus will back the large company which will present the all-new production.

Handpicked, international soloists will feature in the opera, which will be sung in Italian with English subtitles.

The opera is set in France and the amphitheatre-type set will show both the backstreets of Bohemian Paris and grandeur of the city.

The show will start at 7.30pm. Tickets, priced from £30 to £34 are available from the Corn Exchange box office on 01553 764864.

Sarah Reedman