IT must be getting close to Christmas because the panto's back in town. And what a colourful, lively and fun show it is.

If you're a child at heart then there's something magical about a pantomime.

And once again Stageworks, the production company based at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, has brought some real razzamatazz to King George's Hall.

The sets are fabulous, the costumes spectacular, the dancers glamorous and the giant is really scary.

Back once again is Phil Walker, a natural children's entertainer, as Tommy Trott.

He has that marvellous ability to engage a young audience and had them eating out of his hand from the moment he appeared on stage.

Jack and the Beanstalk has everything a traditional family pantomime should have - corny jokes, masses of audience participation and there's even a wonderful pantomime cow.

Jenny-Ann Topham as Fairy Liquid was a great crowd favourite and special mention should be made of young Jenelle Willis, as Jill, who has a fabulous singing voice.

The other name' in the show is former Big Brother contestant Spencer Smith as Jack who, on opening night, perhaps lacked the spark of his more experienced colleagues.

But as hundreds of young voices threatened to take the roof off the hall, you could sense that once again, King George's has got a festive winner on its hands.