There is also the possibility that Nairn's most famous resident Tilda Swinton, who played the villainous White Witch in Disney's version of the Narnia books, might be among the crowd.

"That's also quite daunting," John Kay, who plays Peter in the production, acknowledged.

"It's sort of the big budget version against the Nairn version."

Hollywood may have had a bigger budget for its version of C. S. Lewis's ever popular children's fantasy, "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe", but Nairn's version, which will take over the town centre for two hours this evening, is no small scale production.

With actors and dancers, musicians and athletes taking part, artistic director Alastair McDonald anticipates there will be more than 430 performers taking part, up slightly on last year's show, along with the craftspeople working behind the scenes on everything from a giant-sized version of Aslan the Lion to knitting chain-mail to equip the battling armies on the night.

Along with the youngsters from local schools and the Mellow Yellow youth performing arts group, the evening will feature belly dancers, Nairn Gaelic Choir, pipes and drums and a carnival band, professional street artistes from Scotland's pre-eminent outdoor performing arts company te POOKa and the athletic input of Rev3rse (Forres parkour group).

The show had its origins two years ago when Nairn received money for new Christmas lights and rather than a dull switch-on ceremony, a Peter Pan themed performance was included.

Last year, playing on the name of the town, McDonald and his team created Nairnia, even inviting Tilda Swinton to reprise her role as the White Witch — though she was away at the time and did not receive the letter.

"That struck a chord, not just because it's Nairn or Tilda lives here," McDonald said.

"It's about good defeating evil and coldness being defeated by the warm heart of Aslan. It's a very strong positive message we are trying to get across, but in a light-hearted way."

The event proved so successful, that McDonald wants to see it securely established as an annual event, but unlike the films, which are working their way through Lewis's series of books, he intends to stick with the "Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" inspired storyline.

"Why re-invent the wheel?" McDonald asked. "Our ambition is that in five years time Nairn is the place to be for a week of activities based around Nairnia. Nairnia will be the hub of a wheel and the spokes will begin to spider their way through the town."

Local businesses have already embraced the project, he added, and funding had come from sources including the Highland 2007 Legacy Fund and Nairn Youth Bank.

"It's great that the young people have decided it's worth putting money into themselves," he added.

The young people having a highest profile in this year's production are the quartet of Nairn Academy pupils and Mellow Yellow members who play the young human heroes, the Pevensie family: fourth year John as Peter, second year Niall Ward as Edmund, fifth year Rachael Fairley as Susan and first year Jayne Atkinson as Lucy.

Many of them already have prior experience of Nairnia, John having played Edmund last year.

Preparations are well under way for the Nairnia parade. Alasdair Allen

"This is promotion," he said, but added: "I wanted to play Lucy, but apparently I wasn't right for it."

This year 40 youngsters auditioned for the four main parts, though with only three of them boys, John and Niall faced less of a struggle for their roles than the two girls.

"Quite a few younger people were up for the roles, but I don't think Alastair wanted younger kids," Rachael explained.

"There were a few older girls so I was kind of shocked when I heard my name."

Rachael, however, is happy to have secured an acting part.

"It was either that or dancing and this is less embarrassing than dancing," she added.

"We're not going to be focused on the people watching us because we are going to be so engrossed in what we are doing. It's just really stage nerves that could get to us, but I don't think that will be a problem because we have all done stage productions before."

Though some people may have questioned why Nairnia was being staged again, Rachael suggested that with the improvements made to the show this year, those concerns would be answered.

These improvements include the introduction of six foot high staging, ensuring that more of the action will be seen this year. Not that this is a worry to Jayne.

"I like to be the centre of attention," she admitted. "I think this will be good experience for me when I go on to do other things."

Rachael agreed. "Most young people aspire to be famous, but living up here there are not many chances," she said.

"Which is really annoying because there is so much talent up here that doesn't get noticed."

* The Nairnia parade, which will include the Christmas lights switch on, will begin at the Gordon Street junction of Nairn High Street at 5.45pm this evening.

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