A CARDBOARD Sphinx, a life-size cardboard sheep and a healthy dollop of sand.

That is all it has taken to transform an Oxford church into ancient Egypt.

Preparations for a Blackbird Leys production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat continued with a set-making workshop on Saturday.

Project mastermind Sasha East, 40, put out the call for residents to bring their saws and paintbrushes to the Church of the Holy Family in Cuddesdon Way, Blackbird Leys.

The mother-of-three said: “We had about 30 children and their parents turn up to help. It was brilliant, and amazing what you can do with a bit of cardboard.

“We’ve made a wonderful desert scene and it is all starting to come together.”

Miss East, who lives on the estate, came up with the idea of putting on a production featuring children and adults from Blackbird Leys last year.

The Blackbird Leys Choir, and a dads’ choir from the Leys, Oxford Theatre Guild, and Pegasus School have all got on board to take part in the show at the church which opens on Thursday at 7pm and runs until Saturday.

Family tickets (two adults, two children) cost £10.