PANTO stars lifted the curtain on the annual extravaganza lined up at Weymouth Pavilion.

Actors from ITV soap Emmerdale, children's telly programme Byker Grove and comedy hit Teachers set the stage for the Dick Whittington production with a launch party at the theatre.

Youngsters from Weymouth and Portland later had a chance to tread the boards when they went through their paces to audition as cats for the show.

Teachers star Peter England, 21, who is playing Dick Whittington, said: "I'm really looking forward to it.

"I have been to Weymouth before, when I was six or seven, and it is nice to be back.

"The cast and crew of the pantomime all seem really nice."

Peter, from Hitchin in Hertfordshire, has also starred in the Channel Five soap Family Affairs.

He will star opposite Bridie Hales, 16, from Byker Grove, as his love interest Alice Fitzwarren.

Emmerdale's Richard Mullins plays Alice's father, Darren Johnson will play Sarah the Cook, Mark Gibbs is the evil King Rat, Charlene Harvey is Fairy Bow-bells and Jim McPhee will be Captain Codseye.

Miss Hales, 16, from Sunderland, said: "I loved pantomimes as a child.

"I am nervous but I am looking forward to it.

"Weymouth seems really nice."

The panto opens on December 17 and runs until January 2.

Bananas in Pyjamas, the Lisa Jayn Dancers and Naughty Nigel Harvey and his mischievous puppets Ben and Sox are also among the performers lined up to delight the audience.

Alastair Simpson, 13, came from Fordington in Dorchester with sister Lorna, five, and grandmother Elizabeth Simpson, to catch a first glimpse of the stars.

He said: "It should be a good pantomime."

Lorna added: "I liked the fairy princess best.

"I'm really looking forward to going to the pantomime."

The panto was hit by a hitch last year when Footballer's Wives star John Forgeham quit just 48 hours before the curtain went up following disputes with the management.

But producer John Spiller this year placed his faith in young stars and invested in the production and set - including computerised dancing fountains for an underwater scene.

There will be performances at 2pm and 6pm every day except Christmas Day and New Year's Eve.

For bookings and full details, call the box office on 01305 783225.