IT was an odd order for the craft department at Mount Carmel High School in Accrington in March 1979.

They were asked to supply grass skirts, flower garlands, shark’s tooth necklaces...and even a shrunken head.

The boys have used bits of wire, tape and plaster to provide South Sea Island trappings for the school’s production of the musical ‘South Pacific’.

Pupils from the art, needlework, woodwork and metal work department at the school are also giving up their spare time during lunchbreaks and after school, for the behind-the-scenes work on the show.

Only one teacher Desmond Mulderrig, will appear on stage, and all the other parts are taken by the pupils. The producer was John McKeown and the musical director is John Stansfield. It was the first show at the school since Mount Carmel was formed with Holy Family High School.