A writing team hopes to follow in Andrew Lloyd Webber's footsteps after turning the story of Guy Fawkes into a musical.

The Brighton and Hove-based threesome are hoping their show will open in the West End on November 5 next year, exactly 399 years after conspirators attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament.

The musical, titled Remember, Remember, has been snapped up by London-based business managers The Entertainment Business, which has secured the initial £80,000 needed to work on the show.

Robert Starr, 33, Robert Piatt, 32, and Jasper Kent, 34, have written and starred in several local shows but hope the story of the Gunpowder Plot will catapult them into stardom.

The men, who have formed a company called 2 Bob Productions, are planning to showcase the musical in regional theatres for several months before taking it to London.

Mr Starr, who runs his own insurance company, said hitting the big time would be a dream come true.

He said: "If you are a footballer, you want to play for England in the World Cup. As a writer, you dream of seeing your show performed in the West End."

The men began working on the musical in 1999.

Mr Starr said: "We chose the story of Guy Fawkes because it has all the ingredients for a great stage show. It's probably the most famous story in history and deals with persecution and belief, love and betrayal."

The play was signed up by The Entertainment Business after it was showcased in Covent Garden and the Bridewell Theatre last year.

Now, the trio are looking for investors to help raise the estimated £2 million needed to produce the play for the West End.

The musical promises tragedy, comedy and romance rolled into one with Robert Catesby as the lead character, rather than Guy Fawkes.

Mr Starr said: "The West End is ready for a shake-up and we are the young blood to do it."