WEYMOUTH voted to find its own pantomime star this year and now the Pavilion is gearing up for its festive show.

Charlotte Steen will be playing the role of Snow White this Christmas.

She won the part last month after taking part in an X Factor-style audition after which the three best performers went to a phone vote through the pages of the Dorset Echo.

Charlotte, who comes from Weymouth, is a former member of WOW youth musical theatre and at the age of eight performed in her first Spillers panto – coincidentally also Snow White.

She said: “I can’t wait to start work on the panto now. For me, one of the best things will be having family and friends around at Christmas. If I wasn’t doing this panto I could have been anywhere in the country, so I’m also delighted to be back in my home town.”

Lee Latchford Evans, who is playing dashing Prince Antonio, is perhaps best known for being part of the pop band Steps and is really looking forward to spending the festive season delighting audiences at the Pavilion.

He said: “I’m a Christmas freak and love the whole thing. I think that if people are finding life tough at the moment, they can let go of their problems for a couple of hours. I love the fact that I’m on stage helping people get that Christmas feeling.”

This is the second time in a row that Lee has played the prince.

Last year he appeared in Spillers’ Pantomime’s Snow White at Rotherham with Ben Nickless, who is also at Weymouth this year playing Joey the Jester.

He said: “It was great fun last year and we had a really good time, but it’s interesting to work with a new Snow White and it’s great the way they found her.

“Hopefully, the pantomime will be a stepping stone and help bring lots of good things in her career.”

As well as Charlotte, Lee and Ben, the cast includes Wey-mouth’s Sarah Aveling, as the wicked witch and evil stepmother.

Two teams of youngsters from Quay Theatre Arts will play the dwarves and dancers from Weymouth will also join the team.

John Spiller, who runs Spillers Pantomimes, said: “Snow White is my favourite show because it has it all – comedy, drama and a lovely love story.

“It’s lovely for Weymouth to have Charlotte as the star and I think it will be a fabulous show.”

• Snow White is at Weymouth Pavilion from December 13 to January 2, 2012.

There are performances every day except December 19, 25 and 31.

Tickets are £17 and £16, plus concessions and family rates, except on the opening night when all tickets are £10.

Tickets are available now from the box 0ffice on 01305 783225 and online at dorsetforyou.com