TWO dancers are busier than Father Christmas over the festive period - as they are starring in two pantomimes a day!

Becky Hindle, 16 and friend Becky Paul, 14, auditioned for two pantos in Blackburn and Oswaldtwistle at the beginning of November and won parts in both.

So the pair, who attend Zoe Taylor School of Dance, Manor Road, Blackburn, have been dashing between the towns with minutes to spare to ensure they don't miss a cue.

Both are background dancers in Aladdin at Thwaites Empire Theatre, Aqueduct Road, Blackburn, and have bigger roles in Cinderella at Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre, Union Road.

Aladdin takes place in the evening, while they have also been performing in a production of Cinderella during the day.

Becky Paul, from Blackburn, said: "We finish the afternoon show of Cinderella, which is about two-and-a-half hours long, then we have to be ready to go on stage at 7pm for Aladdin.

"I am enjoying it but it is tiring. I would do it again next year if I have the chance."

Becky Hindle, from Clayton-le Dale, said: "This is my first time in panto and I have had the opportunity to do two. "It is hard but I am enjoying them.

"As soon as Cinderella has finished we have one hour to be ready for Aladdin.

"We change out of our costumes, hang them up, put on our blue leotards for Aladdin, get in the car, grab a bite to eat, then do our make up.

"The make up takes the longest because they are different for both shows. But I am enjoying doing both of them."

Becky's grandmother Joan, 67, from Rishton, has been helping the girls get to the show on time.

She said: "I have been taking them to performances in Blackburn. They finish their show, I wait for them in the car and I drive them to Blackburn.

"They are working really hard and are enjoying it."

Becky Paul's mum, Tina, said: "I thought it would be too much but they have managed, they have been performing and rehearsing long hours but they just keep going."

Becky Hindle's mum, Joanne, said: "I thought she was taking on too much but she has gone from strength to strength. I am really proud of her and she's really enjoying them."