SOME of the best known characters in English literature brightened the stage at Barrow's Forum 28 back in 1995.

Oliver Twist, Fagin, the Artful Dodger, Nancy, Bill Sikes, Mr Bumble and the rest were brought to life in the production of Oliver! by Walney Junior Amateur Operatic Society.

Our selection of pictures today come from the show rehearsal and from the Walney Juniors' shows The Wizard of Oz in 1996 and Annie in 2007.

The Mail, on October 16, in 1995, described rehearsals for the Lionel Bart musical.

It noted: "The 13-year-old Barry Voy stars as Oliver, with Ben Montague as the Artful Dodger, Karen Shaw as Nancy and Camille Malaawy at Bet.

"All four are experienced young players with Walney Juniors and have worked hard for this year's production.

"Two adults have been recruited for the show; David Marcus, who is directing, will play Fagin and Martin Craig plays Bill Sikes."

Other cast members included Daniel McKeating as Mr Bumble, Andrew Phipps-Jones as Mr Sowerberry and Sophie Lashmar as Widow Corney.

You could also see Rebecca Thorne as Charlotte, Mark Johnson as Noah Claypole and Duncan James as Mr Brownlow.

The article noted: "One of the best-loved scores of all musicals included Where is Love? Food, Glorious Food, As Long as he Needs Me, Consider Yourself and Got to Pick a Pocket or Two is based on the Charles Dickens novel Oliver Twist which highlighted the plight of orphaned and abandoned boys in Victorian England."

The fictional world of Oliver Twist was a little too close to reality for residents in the Barrow Workhouse — later Roose Hospital and then a housing estate — as late as 1902.

During an official visit made by medical officer Douglas Anderson in September he saw men given the task of breaking stones all day or oakum-picking.

They had to survive on a diet made up mainly of bread, water and cheese.