Hundreds gathered for the performance at Weavers Square, Heptonstall to watch English hero St George, played by Ray Riches, battle challengers.

This year Easter was the earliest since 1913 and the Heptonstall Players, who have performed the drama since 1979, feared cold would have kept the crowds away.

Dean Gash, who plays Toss Pot, said: "We were a little concerned that the weather might put people off but we have had some really big crowds."

Audiences came in their masses for all four performances and everyone joined in with cheers, jokes, songs and heckling.

Players put their own interpretation and ad libs into the age-old script, which is thought to be the world's oldest known play, including an Italian accent from Hector, played by Stuart Hought.

The rest of the cast were Jimmy Green as Bold Slasher, Andy Carter as Black Prince, and Sydney Roper as the King of Egypt.

Before each show performance lovers watched on as the Hebden Bridge Hill Millies Ladies Morris dancers gave a show.

Calder High School joined in and made their own version of the Midgley Pace Egg Play which they took on tour around the Calder Valley before a final performance at Weavers Square.

Actors involved in the show underwent rigorous auditions at school to win one of the coveted roles.

Other roles were taken by Johnny McQuade as Bold Slasher, Joachim Goddard as the Doctor, Matthew Bladon as King of Egypt, Sam Harris as the Black Prince of Paradine, Isaac Rose as Hector, Thomas Deadman as Toss Pot and Wesley Downs as St George.

Money was raised through collection buckets for the Red Cross Darfur Appeal and Halifax Street Angels.