The classic coming-of-age story, which was inspired by a part of Kent – The Railway Children – returns to the county next week.

Halsted, where author Edith Nesbit spent some of her teenage years, is believed to have been the inspiration for the book, famously made into a film in 1970 starring Jenny Agutter, Bernard Cribbins and Dinah Sheridan.

Written in 1906 by Edith, who came to spend her last years in New Romney, where she is buried, it follows the lives of Roberta, Peter and Phyllis, whose lives are turned upside down when their father mysteriously disappears with two strangers one evening.

Forced to leave the comforts of their privileged London life in exchange for a simple existence in the Yorkshire countryside, the children soon discover new friendships and an unexpected secret that will change their lives forever.

Edith published more than 40 books for children, including novels, picture books and collections of stories in her lifetime, and 11 for adults.

But it was The Railway Children which attracted the most attention and made her a household name. It was serialised in The London Magazine during 1905, before being published in book form in 1906 – and has never been out of print since, being adapted for television series, film and theatre.

The play of the story, that's playing at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury , features a video landscape with digital projections.

It runs from Tuesday, August 15 to Saturday, August 19. Tickets cost from £22.25.

To book, visit marlowetheatre.com or call 01227 787787.