HAS a Hampshire village launched its first-ever pantomime? Oh yes it has!

Villagers in Crawley, near Winchester, are preparing to showcase children’s classic Cinderella in the village hall next month.

Joy McIntosh said the idea came about thanks to Sally Wood, who took over running the Fox and Hounds pub in 2012 with husband Alex.

Joy said: “Sally is a very keen amateur and professional drama teacher and last summer she suggested a few of us should look into staging a production at the village hall. It just grew from there and now everyone in the village is really excited, young and old alike.”

There is a main cast of 25 villagers, ranging from three-year-olds playing mice to 77-year-old Christopher Green playing Baron Hardup.

Joy added: “We have lots of local people involved behind the scenes as well, helping with lighting, sound and props, while we have some local businesses involved like Homelodge which is building a stage for us.”

The pantomime is also being sponsored by Knight Frank estate agents.

There are three performances at the village hall across February 8 and 9 and tickets cost £5 for adults, £3 for children and £15 for a family of two adults and two children.

Children under two will be admitted free of charge.

For more details contact Joy via joy@bakerpr.co.uk.