SONGS and laughter and some loveable Shetland ponies will help to brighten up Christmas in Malvern.

Malvern Theatres has chosen Cinderella as its great British pantomime for this year and has an all-star cast to add to the excitement.

Singer Marti Webb stars as the Fairy Godmother. Made famous by songs, such as Tell Me on a Sunday, Take That Look Off Your Face and Ben, Marti has recorded nine solo albums but is also an accomplished stage star.

She has appeared in numerous West End musicals and toured for two years in Evita. She is also a pantomime regular, appearing variously at the London Palladium, Croydon, Canterbury and Richmond in panto.

Another familiar face is Nicholas Smith, known to UK Gold television audiences as Mr Rumbold in Are You being Served? He appears at Malvern as Baron Hardup.

Chris Jarvis, who plays Buttons, is another television regular and between them and the rest of the cast they will hope to add a touch of traditional sparkle to the festive season inviting the audience to hiss and boo and cheer to their hearts' content.

Tickets range in price from £8 to £16. Box Office 01684 892277.

l WARWICK'S Playbox Theatre is presenting the heart-warming tale of Peter Pan as its Christmas show this year.

New dates have now been announced for January 5 and 6 and reservations can be made on 01926 419555.