Most neighbourhoods lost menfolk during the First World War and many saw almost their entire male population wiped out.

But a play being presented in East Morton this weekend commemorates those communities that lost nobody during the four-year conflict.

The Thankful Village is a new comedy-drama written by Kate Bramley, with music by leading folk musician Jez Lowe.

Badapple Theatre Company performs the show at East Morton Village Institute on Sunday.

The Thankful Villages were settlements that lost no men in the Great War, and there were 52 across England and Wales.

Kate Bramley’s fictional portrayal is set in the quiet village backwater of Bottledale, which is changed forever by the advent of war.

The roll of honour in the village square remains empty and un-etched as the years pass, and folk start to wonder.

A Badapple spokesman said: “This is a story of hope, humour and humanity, about the men who went away and the women left behind.

“It is also about the eccentric twists and turns of daily life that led to their reuniting, for better or for worse, in the winter of 1918.”

Badapple Theatre is renowned for innovative comedy dramas that tour the smallest of venues across the country.

The theatre company will take to the road again in December with its comedy The Mouse Who Ate Christmas, which was also written by Kate and Jez.

The play is set in 1818, when Edna and Wilbur – two hungry village mice – are having trouble getting into the Christmas spirit.

They head to Switzerland to find cheese, only to find themselves inside the church organ where they inspire a young priest to write a famous Christmas carol.

Call (01535) 611652 or (01423) 339168 for further information about the East Morton performance of The Thankful Village, including start time.