The summer rep season at Wolverhampton’s Grand Theatre has been scrapped this year – ending a 16-year run in the city.

Bosses say the huge production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang must take centre stage and are instead putting on a “mini drama season” made up of three plays in July.

Charles Vance Repertory Company has brought its summer season to Wolverhampton for the past 16 years and has built up a strong following in the city.

While the Grand was being refurbished in 2007, the company performed at Arena Theatre before returning to the Grand.

But this summer, a cast and crew of 100 will descend on the Grand from July 29 to August 15 for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Theatre spokesman Iain Watkins said the change was down to “a question of programming”.

Charles Vance first took his rep season to Wolverhampton in 1993 and it has enjoyed critical acclaim each year, with last year’s offerings including The Murder Game and Dangerous Obsession.