Jacqueline Wilson's Hetty Feather takes to the stage

Dame Jacqueline Wilson has described her as "absolutely my favourite character" and now Hetty Feather has been brought to life on stage.

The hugely successful book, about a Victorian orphan in search of her parents, has been adapted for the theatre.

Emma Reeves, who also wrote scripts based on Wilson's Tracey Beaker series for television, developed the stage version.

It has been directed by Sally Cookson, whose past credits have included adaptations of children's favourites Peter Pan and We're Going On A Bear Hunt.

The whole production took just five weeks to prepare.

Fittingly the UK tour has opened in Wilson's hometown of Kingston upon Thames, which she says was coincidental.

The BBC was granted access to rehearsals of the play ahead of its opening night.

Video journalist: Alex Stanger