The Calne Players drama group is appealing to residents and businesses for help with storing their vast array of costumes and props.

The group has for years kept hundreds of costumes in damp garages and overcrowded spare bedrooms.

But now they are looking for a knight in shining armour to provide them with storage space.

Carolynn Cowdry, the Players’ secretary, said: “We used to store everything in the Conservative Club, in Church Street, until a few years ago.

“But since then we have struggled because we can’t afford to pay for storage – it is just far too expensive.

“We have mostly been storing it in my spare bedroom, other members’ spare rooms and in garages.

“It isn’t ideal because it is so difficult to find anything when you need it.

“We do keep a record of where things are, but it is still hard to find it all.

“And you can get a lot of damp, particularly in the garages, which can damage the costumes.

“We have got all sorts in there – dresses, wigs, loads of hats, and lots of props.”

The group makes new costumes most years for their family pantomime, as they rotate roles around the performers and always need different sizes.

Mrs Cowdry, who lives in Oxford Road, said: “We make most of the stuff ourselves, or we buy it from charity shops.

“We are always making something or other for people of different sizes.

“I think there are probably at least 200 costumes.

“We do cull them from time to time, but a lot of them will inevitably be used again so we try not to throw much away.

“But we are totally out of room now. We really need someone to come forward and help us out.

“I would appeal to anyone with some spare space, preferably inside and not a garage, or any businesses at local industrial parks who might be able to assist us.”

If you can help the group, call Mrs Cowdry on (01249) 813559.