WE'RE fast approaching Christmas and the month of December and you know what that means?

Panto season! Oh no it isn't - Oh yes it is! And this year it's Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood that will form the festive finale to 2003 at Malvern Theatres.

From December 17 a real treat will be in store for all ages as cheering and booing becomes part of the Christmas season.

Once again a star-studded cast will bring this favourite fairy-tale to life.

Ruth Madoc, loved by television audiences for her role as Gladys in the BBC comedy classic, Hi-de-Hi, stars as Fairy.

She is joined by Richard Elis (mischievous Huw from Eastenders) as Robber, and Last of the Summer Wine star, Tom Owen takes the role as our 'to be booed baddie', the Sheriff of Nottingham. James Biddlecombe, who charmed audiences as Sarah the Cook in Dick Whittington, plays the comical nurse.

Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood will be sumptuously traditional, remaining faithful to the story everyone knows.

Follow the adventures of Robin Hood as good triumphs over bad and the Sheriff of Nottingham's tricks are out to an end, see the babes get lost in the wood - and what pantomime would be complete without that 'happily ever after' ending!