THEY'RE all going on a Summer Holiday - never mind the fact that it is 40 years since Cliff Richard first caught the nation's imagination with the famous British film.

A big red London bus - similar to the one that was the star of the 1963 screen classic -brightened up a late summer Saturday in Bolton's Victoria Square.

Members of Bolton Premier Productions were publicising their version of the musical, due at the Albert Halls from October 4 to 8.

The musical, which spawned the hits Bachelor Boy, The Young Ones and, of course, the title song, tells the story of four mechanics, led by Cliff, who take a London double decker bus to Europe for a holiday. On the way, they pick up three girls and find a young stowaway on board.

The film captivated the nation with its mood of 1960s optimism and innocent fun.

And director Marje Brayshaw, who has worked with a variety of local amateur groups, is hoping Bolton audiences will fall in love with it all over again.

"The music is great, and the cast have worked really hard to make a lovely, lively show," she said.

David Glynn Whitehead takes the Cliff Richard role, and Rebecca Charney is the love interest.

The enthusiastic and talented cast span not only the generations, but also several families with children.

But the biggest headache for the organisers is that a London bus is central to the whole action.

Marje's son Craig, the production manager, said: "We had to hire three different props, including a very small bus that goes across the stage at one point. But some of them are very large and we have to take them to pieces to assemble them at the Albert Halls, because it's narrow in parts."

None of these worries could blight the fun involved in the bus rides for cast and crew.

Marje said: "I remember the fun of the 60s the first time around. It's great to see it all brought back to life again."