A GIANT beanstalk and fluffy chickens filled the atrium of Winchester's Theatre Royal yesterday as this year's pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, was officially launched.

Staff at the Jewry Street theatre are already predicting it will follow in the footsteps of last year's panto, Aladdin, and be a big hit.

This year's production, which will run from December 6 to January 2, will feature many of the names who made last year's pantomime a success, including Cbeebies star, Phil Gallagher, who will play Silly Billy.

Phil, who is currently starring in the children's TV series, Mister Maker, said he was delighted to be asked back and was looking forward to working in Winchester again.

He said: "I had just a brilliant time and enjoyed it so much that when I was lucky enough to be asked back there was no thinking about it."

Writer and director, James Barry, said this year's pantomime was set to be even bigger and better than last year's, which smashed the theatre's box office records and saw more than 14,000 take their seats.

Mr Barry, who also wrote and directed last year's pantomime, added: "We learned from last year that the audience loves participation so we've got more of that, lots of nice set pieces and even more fun."