THEY’VE spent years entertaining their own children.

Now, Holmfirth mums Sally Norton, Lisa Kendall and Mel Brockway are preparing to take centre stage as The Hey Diddles.

The theatrical trio have devised a colourful children’s show, designed to give youngsters their first taste of the theatre.

The performance – aimed at children aged between six months to six years – incorporates nursery rhymes and action songs with singing, dancing and storytelling.

And with three colourful characters – Poppy Red, Sky Blue and Sunny Yellow – they hope it will give little ones a memorable live experience.

Lisa, who has two daughters Tamsin, 16, and Emily, 13, said: “We all love the theatre and our children love the theatre.

“We think it is such a fab experience and it is such a shame that some people don’t bring their children to the theatre because they think they might be a bit disruptive.

“This is designed to be a magical experience, where children will be able to join in rather than having to sit quiet and get bored.

“It is a show especially for them.”

The friends – who are all members of Holmfirth’s Turn Again Theatre – have worked on many plays and pantomimes over the years.

The inspiration for the idea came after Sally – who has two-year-old twins Ben and Elliot – took her boys to see the popular Australian children’s show The Wiggles.

Lisa, who works as a charity fundraiser and already runs her own children’s party entertainment business, Party Animals, said: “Sally was saying how much the boys loved it and I made a passing joke about how we could do something like that.

“It just came from an off-the-cuff comment like that and, as we thought about it, we realised we could do it.”

The entertainers have taken inspiration from a number of children’s television shows to encourage as much audience participation as possible.

“Our show has a definite panto feel about it with the children being encouraged to join in, dance and sing-along,” added Lisa. “It’s a wonderful way for young children to be introduced to the theatre.”

The Hey Diddles will be staging their first Christmas-themed shows at Denby Dale Pie Hall on December 1, Slaithwaite Civic Hall on December 22 and Holmfirth Civic Hall on December 23.

Tickets will be available from October at Holmfirth Tourist Information on 01484 222444, priced £5 adults and £3 children.

For further information visit www.facebook.com/TheHeyDiddles or email theyheydiddles@gmail.com