The summer sun might still be shining but the Malvern Theatres is already getting festive in preparation for this year's Christmas pantomime.

The swashbuckling production of Peter Pan combines home-grown talent with established stars of stage and screen and the principals got a look at Malvern during a visit on Tuesday.

Ron Moody, best known for his award-winning performance as Fagin in hit film Oliver!, will prompt boos and hisses as evil Captain Hook. Though due to play the sea-faring villain for the eighth time, he said he never tires of the role.

"It took me until the third time I played him to get it right," he said.

"You have to get that balance between scaring children, but making them feel safe, you want them to scream but then laugh."

He added: "I haven't been to Malvern since the 1970s. It's a wonderful part of the world."

The show will give one actor the chance to return to his roots. Jon Monie, who plays Hook's comedy sidekick, Smee, was born in Wellington Heath and attended Ledbury Primary School, before moving to Bath.

"It'll be great to be back here, I shall go back and visit some of our family friends," he said.

Gemma Lowy-Hamilton, who appeared at the Theatres as Robin Hood in 2003's pantomime, said she was looking forward to returning to the venue.

Fans of children's television show Balamory will recognise Kasia Haddad, aka Josie Jump, who plays Princess Tigerlilly.

"Tigerlilly is a strong, feisty woman, and I'm really looking forward to playing her," she said.

Wendy and Tinkerbell are played by Lucy Garrioch and Lucy Johnson.

Peter Pan runs from Friday, December 16, to Sunday, January 8. Tickets can be booked on 01684 892277.