Airdrie and Coatbridge Amateur Operatic Society are just days away from opening their latest production based on Sir Cliff Richard's hit movie musical of 1963.

But now they are short of one vital prop ... a double bus seat which had been promised by one of the firms which used the depot.

Organisers have vowed the show will go on - even though a seat from an old bus features heavily in one of the key songs from the musical set on board a red doube-decker bus.

Following a blaze at a bus depot in Coatbridge last week, their supply appears to have vanished gone.

They are now appealing to bus collectors or enthusiasts who may have bus seats that the group could borrow, to help them.

Around 50 buses were des-troyed when fire, which police are treating as suspicious, ripped through the depot at Greenhill Industrial Estate early last Tuesday. The cost of repairs is estimated at £3million.

The site was used by three local firms: Lindsay of Coatbridge, McArthurs and A Trip in Time.

The society had been loaned a bus from Lindsays during pre-publicity for the show and pinned their hopes on getting in old-fashioned double seat.

Steve Taylor, from the society, said: "We are appealing to anyone out there who may have a double seat which would date back to the 60s or 70s.

"Collectors, bus enthusiasts or anyone who has a scrap yard could be able to help us out."

Rehearsals are under way for the show which opens at Tollbrae Primary, Airdrie on Wednesday and runs until Saturday.

Steve added: "We were to get more props but the fire means we now must scramble around."

The society, established more than 100 years ago, is determined not to let fans down.

"If anyone out there can help us, please get in touch," added Steve.

If you can supply such a seat, call 07930 872371.