SSHH!! Globe reporter Peter Grant goes undercover across Wirral to bring readers an exclusive.

WHAT are The Secret Seven up to ahead of their much-awaited festive show at Chester Storyhouse?

Welcome to Cherrydale, Wirral.

What? You have never heard of it ... well, you will.

I have just spent time with Enid Blyton's gang as they prepare for a Christmas cracker of a tale at Chester Storyhouse.

And it exists. Enid Blyton must have visited the Borough.

Cherrydale is the setting for a world premiere from the team who exploded into dramatic action with previous hits Alice in Wonderland, Wind in the Willows and Stig of the Dump.

Rehearsals are well underway for their inaugural festive show, based on Enid Blyton's story of child detectives which has been re-imagined for the Chester theatre by dramatist Glyn Maxwell.

I enjoyed lashings of ginger beer with director of the production and artistic director Alex Clifton who told the Globe at a hush hush Wirral location where they were on a mission to soak in the peninsular: "It has been so much fun rehearsing this world first show.

"We have all had to channel our inner child  ...  our fun-filled spontaneous selves.

"The actors are a rambunctious lot – the rehearsal room is full of laughter, Christmas carols and joy." 

Alex confides in the Globe that this tale of smart sleuths is set in the fictional village of Cherrydale in Wirral.

And the research has been just the tonic they needed as they get into the spirit of the much-loved novel.

That includes composer Harry Blake and puppeteer Matthew Hutchinson.

Making sure nobody was eaves-dropping, Alex whispered: "the cast spent a day exploring Bidston Hill, West Kirby Marina and Port Sunlight." 

As for the show here's a sneak preview of the top secret story.

We first see bright lights, frosty nights, presents on the tree.

Christmas is coming to Cherrydale but something is wrong (pause for dramatic music).

There's a strange fire burning in a haunted cottage ... (more scary music).

Santa's elves aren't being nice at all.

Hold on ... who is that little girl who can walk in the air?

This is a case for the Secret seven who must be at their best and brightest to solve this mystery.

But that is all he revealed yet he has given the Globe a sneak preview of how the show is shaping up – the surely clues are in our gallery.

The Secret Seven opens December 1 until January 14.

You would be bonkers to miss it.

Ticket details: storyhouse.com. Phone 01244409113