A MUCH-LOVED theatre company may “die a death” unless it can recruit some new blood, members have warned.

The Lime Walk Players was set up a quarter of a century ago by a group of parishioners from Lime Walk Methodist Church in New High Street, Headington, Oxford.

But falling numbers of child actors, the advancing age of their existing cast and the lack of men could mean the group’s days may be numbered.

Mary Ross, left, from Marston, helped set up the group when she was 41.

Now 66, and the group’s director, she said: “At the start, we decided to get together and put on a concert for a special occasion, but we enjoyed it so much that the Lime Walk Players were born.

“After a few concerts we tried a pantomime and later turned to musicals, like Annie and The Wizard of Oz.

“But time has really taken its toll on the group.

“Our problem is that our main membership ranges from 20-80 and, as is the case in most drama groups, there are more women than men.

“We recently had a couple of new ladies join, whose children came to act in our latest production, The Pied Piper, but without new blood and some men, there is a very real risk that we will fizzle out.”

If you’re interested in joining the Lime Walk Players, call 01865 241148 or email maryross1944@gmail.com The Pied Piper runs from March 24-26, at 7.30pm at the Lime Walk Methodist Hall There is a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm. Tickets cost £8 (£6 concessions). Call 01865 761711.