ARCHERS radio star Neil Carter, alias Brian Hewlett, is swapping farmyard tales for pantomime frippery at the Everyman Theatre this year.

He will don fancy frocks as Lettitia Lansdown in Jack and the Beanstalk, joined by local actor Anthony Young as Sir Percy de Pittville.

Brian, a favourite with Archers fans, has been with the cult classic soap since 1973 and is now one of its most established figures.

He has played at the Everyman twice before - in 1991 as Pickwick in the Pickwick Papers and a few years later as Mr Mushnik in The Little Shop of Horrors.

Brian first played a dame in the early '70s and he says he is looking forward to donning dramatic dresses and wild wigs once more.

He said: "I am very excited about coming to the Everyman.

"Jack and the Beanstalk is going to be a larger than life pantomime, and Dame Lettitia Lansdown will certainly be living up to that."

Everyman chief executive Philip Bernays said: "We are thrilled to welcome Brian to the role of dame, and the rest of the line up looks fantastic.

"This year's pantomime is going to be bigger and better than ever before!"

Jack and the Beanstalk runs from December 7 until January 20 and tickets (from £5 to £14) are available from the box office on 01242 572573.