Members of a theatre group have faked it to get an authentic sun-kissed look for their new show.

They wanted bronze bodies to look convincing for their roles in the popular musical South Pacific.

And thanks to a Bradford business, the members of Grove and Rawdon Theatre Company have been given tropical tans.

All 17 cast members - including Martin Holmes and Jane Collins, pictured - spent just six seconds in a UV-free booth and are now raring to get on stage.

Committee member Christine Luty, of Idle, helped to organise the sessions at Florida Bay Tanning Studio, at Bolton Junction in Eccleshill.

"We couldn't afford to send them off to a south sea island so this is the next best thing!" she said. "The show will look so much more authentic with golden tans."

Rod Brown, who plays Emile de Beque, was one of the first in the queue and said the men were not worried about sporting fake tans.

"We all want to look healthy," he said. "And anything that can help the show go well is great because that is our main aim."

Martin Holmes, who stars as Luther Billis, feared he might get tanned teeth because he opened his mouth in fright during the treatment.

"I was expecting a gentle spray mist so it was a shock when it came on," he laughed. "But I am looking forward to being brown."

Kirsty Tyne, manager of Florida Bay Tanning Studio, said the company was delighted to help.

"When you are doing South Pacific you need to be tanned," she said. "This is the only tanning machine of its kind we know of in the Bradford area and it has been really busy."

The show, which opened last night at Yeadon Town Hall, features the songs Some Enchanted Evening, Nothing Like a Dame and Happy Talk.

The newly-bronzed bodies will be on stage until May 17 and tickets are available on 07000 446267.