HI ho, hi ho it's off to work they go! The stars of this year's festive pantomime at King George's Hall arrived in Blackburn to prepare for the first performance of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs this afternoon.

The show will run until New Year's Eve and looks set to break all box office records.

Once again comedian Phil Walker will take the starring role - this will be his sixth panto in Blackburn - and he'll be playing a character called Ben in the production which features spectacular costumes and lighting effects.

Phil, son of Cathphrase host Roy Walker, said: "I love it at Blackburn. King George's Hall is a wonderful theatre and the staff are lovely, the audiences are great."

The show has been put together by Stageworks, the production company based at Blackpool Pleasure Beach and rather than using actors, the seven dwarfs will be large puppets operated by the dancers.

Over the next few days several thousand schoolchildren will be enjoying the show as an end of term treat.

For further details, contact the box office on 01254 582582.