ONE of the attractions at the Southport Flower Show was a garden inspired by ELF, the Musical.

The designers, Ryan McNair and Stephen Pey, had worked with the Lowry who are presenting Elf as their Christmas Show.

It will be the production’s first appearance outside London and will run from Friday, 24 November 24 until Sunday, January 14 2018.

Based on the 2003 New Line Cinema hit starring Will Ferrell, Elf tells the hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan who, after mistakenly crawling into Santa’s sack of presents, is transported to the winter wonderland of the North Pole.

Unaware that he is human, his enormous size and poor toy making abilities eventually make him realise the truth.

With Santa’s permission, he travels to New York City in search of his birth father. He discovers his identity and reminds New York of the true meaning of Christmas.

ELF, the Musical features a book by Tony Award Winners Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin with songs by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin.

The show will star Ben Forster as Buddy, Liz McClarnon as Jovie, Louis Emerick as Santa Claus, Joe McGann as Walter and Jessica Martin as Emily Hobbs.

It will be directed and choreographed by Morgan Young.

Tickets, priced £25.50 - £58.50 are available from 0843 208 6005 or thelowry.com. There will be matinees on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2 pm.