AUGUST it may be, but tickets are on sale now for this year's Grand Theatre Christmas pantomime.

The theatre is hosting rags-to-riches classic Cinderella, starring Blackpool favourite Ruth Madoc as Fairy Godmother, returning after an appearance in Agatha Christie's A Murder Is Announced last March.

Organisers promise a traditional panto with lots of music and dance, fabulous costumes and lavish sets.

The panto's eponymous heroine is played by Philippa Healey, fresh from her West End run as Cosette in Les Miserables. The show co-stars Mark Homer as Buttons, better known for his role as Tony Hills in EastEnders, and Amira Matthews, whose show credits include Beauty And The Beast and Billy Liar, plays Prince Charming.

Cinderella also features Tom Owen, Last Of The Summer Wine's Tom Simmonite, as Baron Hardup, Karen Holmes from the touring production of Carousel as Dandini, and panto veterans Jamie Morris and Bobbie Kent as the ugly sisters Poly Filla and Silly Cilla Hardup.

Cinderella is being staged by Martin Dodd and Peter Frosdick for UK Productions, the company responsible for touring musicals Anything Goes, Carousel and 42nd Street and also for producing several pantos at The Grand.

Cinderella runs from Wednesday, December 13 until Saturday, January 6 (no performances on December 25 or 31). Tickets priced from £7.50 are available from the box office on 290190.