THE SILENT but appealing Sooty will be delighting young and not-so-young alike when he appears at The Mayflower next month.

The enduringly popular puppet returns to the Southampton theatre at the start of the half-term holiday on February 19 in a new show, Sooty's Magic Farm.

Direct from CITV's Sooty Heights, Britain's best-loved bear is joined by Sweep, Soo and Scampi, along with co-presenters Richard Cadell and Liana Bridges.

The gang's crazy countryside caper promises to be their most exciting adventure yet, with plenty of laughter, magic and music along the way.

Wherever Sooty goes, trouble follows him. In this adventure, we see Butch the Bulldog joining forces with legendary snake Ramsbottom to try to spoil Sooty's chances of winning the largest vegetable competition.

But, despite Scampi having problems with a tractor and Sweep cooking up a storm in the kitchen, the ever-dependable Soo manages to keep everything under control to make sure everything ends on a happy note.

Shows run at 11.30am and 2.30pm. Box office: 023 8071 1811.