A SLICE of Americana and some festive treats were served up in abundance when the St Meddan's Church Entertainments Group presented their Ho Ho Ho Down show in the Church Hall.

Audiences packed into the Troon church over two nights for the popular event which featured a cast of all ages.

The senior cast took centre stage for the first half of the show, which got underway with There's No Business Like Showbusiness, They Say It's Wonderful and The Girl That I Marry.

We then heard a selection of songs from Oklahoma, including the title track, Out of My Dreams, performed by soloist Morag Kemp;Oh What A Beautiful Morning and The Farmer and the Cowman.

We then enjoyed a hilarious interlude entitled Butch Casserole and the Sunday Roast Kid, starring Iain McCreath and Ronnie Bell, in which fun was poked at troubled forrner Rangers ace Joey Barton, described as the Lone Ranger and there was the usual joke about "injun' trouble, referencing the Indians.

McCreath was outstanding - the star of the show - and Bell played along really well with some fine one liners.

It was then back to music for Many a New Day by the Ladies, before Bell and Eileen Munro teamed up for People Will Say We're In Love and the group performed The Surrey With the Fringe on Top.

Next musical to be given the St Meddan's treatment was Paint Your Wagon, with McCreath, who was also Musical Director, recalling how he had blagged his way into Ayr Odeon to the movie, which had a 14 certificate, despite being 13, to watch his hero Clint Eastwood in action. He sang Mariah after John Steel had given a rendition of Wand'rin Star.

There was then a selection of tunes from Calamity Jane - Deadwood Stage and The Black Hills of Dakota, performed by the group; Higher than A Hawk (Bell); Windy City with Ruth Fisher on lead vocals and Secret Love (Kemp).

Rounding off the first half were Wonderful Day, June is Bustin' Out All Over and Goin Courtin, from the group; Bless Your Beautiful Hide (David McKenzie).

The children took centre stage for Disney Delights and It';s Christmas.

Songs performed were Disney songs When You Wish Upon A Star, A Whole New World, I Wanna Be Like You, The Bare Necessities, Zip-A-Dee=Doo=Dah and Can You Feel The Love Tonight.

Christmas songs performed were: The Very First Christmas of All, Away in a Manger, The Friendly Beasts, Rocking, Dear Father Christmas, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, The Christmas Song, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and White Christmas.

The children who took part were: Bobbi Carrol, Callum and Beth Peat, Lucy and Amy Watson, Amy Jamieson and Katie Ronnie. Pianist was Sandie Ronnie.