IT'S a case of "hi ho, hi ho, it's NOT off to work we go..." at Blackburn's King George's Hall this Christmas.

The theatre is putting on a production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs for its festive pantomime this year.

But instead of employing dwarf actors for the role, production company Stageworks is using puppets operated by dancers.

The move has been slammed as "wrong" by an agency that finds work for dwarf actors, which said it seemed like a "cost-cutting exercise".

But theatre bosses say that puppets are being used because they "really appeal to children's imagination".

The panto will premier on Thursday, December 13, for a 19-day run.

Phil Walker will lead the production in the role of the prince, and Doc, Happy, Grumpy, Sleepy, Bashful, Dopey and Sneezy will be created by the Stageworks Dancers Puppetry Illuminare.

Melanie Sacre, who runs Funky Beetroot, a Kent-based agency that represents dwarf actors, said: "I think it's wrong to use puppets, for various reasons.

"Firstly, the only time work can be guaranteed for dwarf actors is at Christmas, as there's very little demand in the mainstream.

"There's not much work for most actors, but even less for dwarfs.

"This seems like a cost-cutting exercise, because the average rate for actors is £600 per week, which is over £4,000 for seven.

"I can understand some theatres cannot afford it, particularly with a short run like this, but I also think that using puppets will take away from the magic of the performance.

"I find it heart-breaking, because when dwarf actors are used, Snow White is one of the most magical shows."

But Stageworks, which is based in Blackpool and also manages shows there, said there is no reduced cost using puppets.

Panto director Antony Johns said: "Stageworks has staged productions of Snow White using the puppets in the past and has found that children love to see them on stage.

"That is the reason that they are used this year as they really appeal to children's imaginations.

"There is no cost implication in using puppets rather than real people - dancers are still required to operate the puppets and the puppets themselves are not cheap to create."

Dwarf actor Peter Burrows is the founder of Willow Personal Management in Peterborough, which represents around 200 short actors all over the country, including Burnley's Albert Wilkinson whose credits include Star Wars.

Both Peter and Albert are starring in productions on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs this Christmas, in Wimbledon and Malvern respectively.

Peter said: "This is the biggest time of year for short actors, and I have heard of puppets being used occasionally when there are no actors available.

"But I think it's a bit unfair to take away the opportunity if it's there, and the atmosphere is just not the same with puppets."