Pantomime fun and laughter comes to March with new year performances of family favourite Cinderella.

Award-winning March and District Amateur Operatic Society is ­preparing to stage the show over three days.

This is the first time the company has performed a panto and director Paul Tinker says he is delighted to be leading the company in this ­exciting project.

He said: “Panto is where I first developed my love of live theatre. At the tender age of seven, I was allowed to join the chorus of Jack and the Beanstalk, which had been written by my father.

“It spurred on my performance career and now as a director I am hoping to give all the boys and girls, and mums and dads, a chance to be part of the magic that inspired me so much.”

The society won three National Operatic and Dramatic Association Awards for its performance of Footloose earlier this year, including the much-prized shield for the best overall show in the region.

The panto will be staged at March Community Centre, in Station Road, March, with the opening show on January 2 at 6.30pm. On January 3 and 4 there will be shows at 2.30pm and 6.30pm.

Tickets cost £9 for adults, £7 for concessions and students, £5 for under-12s and £25 for a family ticket.

The box office is at Collingwoods, in March. Tickets can also be bought by calling 01223 911446 or online at www.madaos.org/box_office.