FARNHAM schoolboy John McCrea's chance to shine on the West End stage in front of royalty was delayed last week in the most unusual circumstances.

Ten-year-old John, of Heath End, and a student at Farnham theatre and music school Showshack, had secured a role in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, starring Brian Blessed, Michael Ball and Paul O'Grady - aka Lily Savage - at the London Palladium.

More than 100 Showshack pupils travelled up to London to see John's big moment in front of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles, who were in the audience.

But with less than half the play gone, the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car reversed into the scenery which would have become the Baron's ship. The performance was cancelled, with John still to appear on stage.

All his supporters were disappointed and the children emerged from the theatre to see a TV news crew which was covering the story.

But all was not lost, with the Palladium offering Showshack another date to see the show.

It was a big week for the theatre school, with another of its pupils, Charlotte Skeoch, from Headley, attending a cast-and-crew premiere of Harry Potter, The Chamber of Secrets, in which she appears.

Meanwhile, Showshack's forthcoming production Showtime plays at the Princes Hall, Aldershot next week.

Proceeds from the four shows next Saturday and Sunday, November 16 and 17, will go to the St Luke's Breast Cancer Appeal.