Downham Amateur Dramatic Society's pantomime, written specially by local author Sue Welfare, opens at the Town Hall on Thursday.

And if box office inquiries are anything to go by, DADS' eighth consecutive panto promises to be one of the biggest and best yet.

Inquiries have hit an all-time high, and tickets have been selling like hot cakes.

"We are all very excited about being allowed to perform Sue's debut pantomime," said producer and director Peter Duhig. "The rehearsals have gone well, the box office has been really busy and we're really looking forward to the opening night."

Ms Welfare, who created BBC Radio Norfolk's first audio drama Little Bexham, has included all the ingredients of a traditional family panto with lots of audience participation, along with some modern and tongue-in-cheek humour.

The lead role of Snow White is taken by Raphael Parker, who played Cinderella in last year's production, and the Wicked Stepmother is played by Kerry Eubrah (née Smith), who was Buttons last time round.
Snow White's seven dwarfs will be known as seven people of indeterminate height and age in the play, and are called Lumpy, Lanky, Bumpy, Windy, Whiney, Grumpy and Don!

The panto is being held at 7.30pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, when there is also a 2.30pm matinée performance.

Limited tickets, priced at £6 for adults and £4 for ten years and under, are still available from Lewks in Wales Court, Downham, or from Winning Ways box office on 01366 383535.