THE antics of a stage character whose nose grew when he told fibs caused plenty of mirth for parents and pupils at a South Cumbrian school back in 2002.

The Mail, on Friday, July 19, noted: "Young pupils learnt the wisdom of telling the truth by bringing the story of a little puppet to life.

"The Year Two pupils at Croftlands Infant School, Ulverston, have been performing Pinocchio for parents and friends of the school."

The character of the wooden puppet made by Geppetto and turned into a real boy by the Blue Fairy was created by Italian writer Carlo Collodi in his 1883 book The Adventures of Pinocchio.

It was made into an animated musical by Disney in 1940 and was often revived at cinemas for new generations  of youngsters in the days before VHS tapes and DVD players,

It was one of the last films - alongside Carry on Camping - to be shown at the old Ritz cinema above the Millom Co-operative Society department store in Wellington Street.