Kay finds birdcage going for a song...

A CHANCE meeting uncaged a lucky find to bring a prop-er good ending to a theatre's search.

Kay Hirst, property mistress for Saddleworth Players, had been challenged to find an 18th century birdcage for the Players' rip-roaring production of "Tom Jones".

Kay, from Uppermill, has proved an expert at collecting props, no matter how unusual, for their shows, but was struggling to find such a rare item.

She was all set to make one from cane and wire until she visited a friend in London.

Sauntering through Covent Garden she spied a "gentleman of the road" pushing his worldly possessions in a supermarket trolley.

After she had passed him she did a double-take, realising that she had just seen a beautiful, tiny bird cage, swinging from the handle of his trolley.

Kay asked if it was for sale and after a bit of "Saddleworth cheek" and stumping up a fiver, the Players got a birdcage and Kay got rid of a thorny problem.

The show takes place at Delphis Millgate Theatre until Saturday, at 7.30pm. Tickets and information from 01457 874644.