When you think of the preparations involved in staging an amateur musical, countless rehearsals running through lines, evenings spent learning songs and sessions perfecting dance routines probably spring to mind.

Easily overlooked are the hours of hard work, from concept planning to physical labour, that go into creating the set.

Sometimes, that job is extra challenging, as Workington Amateur Operatic Society knows very well ahead of its junior production of Les Miserables.

Tony McGee, director and part of staging committee, says: "A lot of people have ideas about what it should look like. A lot have seen it.

"We have got to kind of stay true to the West End production but also be mindful that they have got unlimited budgets and facilities.

"We've had to think about what's feasible in our budget and what's going to give the same impact as a professional production."

The team behind the set design and building have been working for weeks to prepare for the show, which takes place at the Carnegie Theatre from Wednesday to Saturday.

Between them about 10 people have put in hundreds of hours of work, moving from early discussions and concepts through technical drawings and measurements to construction and painting.

Tony, 30, of Stainburn, has been heavily involved from the outset to ensure the set not only looks good but is functional for the performers to sing, dance and act on and around.

The Sellafield worker said: "The challenge for this one is the barricade because it has to look like it's just been thrown together but has to be accessible and safe for anything from 10 to 18-year-olds to climb on and perform on.

"It's such an important part of the show but when you break down the show it's not on stage for a massive length of time.

"You don't want a barricade that's enormous and takes up the full backstage area."

Because the number of groups licensed to perform the junior show is quite small, theatrical set companies have not yet built scenery for groups to hire, leaving the society having to start from scratch.

Tony says: "It's a massive task and a really big responsibility.

"There are so many aspects you have to think about. There's the show flowing property, the safety side, staying true to the story.

"You have got to remember that a lot of the audience will have seen a professional production of the show somewhere and you don't want yours to be completely underwhelming.

"Then you have got all the time, effort and expertise required along with not inconsiderable cost.

"It's an absolutely massive part of the show.

"The cast are the most important part of the show and people would still enjoy their evening if the scenery wasn't as good as we hoped but it will turn it from a decent show into a spectacle if we get it right."

Tony says: "The group's worked really well together. 

Volunteers are now spending three evenings a week working on the set to get it as good as it can be by opening night.

With hidden entrances and exits, a flying bridge and the planned seamless arrival of the barricade, they hope it will live up to the audience's expectation.

Les Miserables - School Edition runs at the Carnegie Theatre from Wednesday to Saturday at 7.15pm.

Tickets are £10, available at www.carnegietheatre.co.uk or on 01900 602122.