IT was a nearly a case of "Oh no it isn't" when the pantomime season kicked off in Blackburn.

Half the staff at King George's Hall were at home with flu when Cinderella On Ice started on Monday.

But the show went on - just - and the eight members of staff who were unaffected by the bug carried off the first day of the show without anyone noticing they were so short handed.

Promotions assistant Maureen Jones, one of the eight who managed to make it in to work, said: "Nobody noticed we were short staffed, but it was horrendous.

"We all mucked in and did a bit of everybody's job, but it was just none stop and we ended up putting in 12 and 13 hour days without a break.

"One or two of the people who did turn in had chesty coughs and were not 100 per cent but they worked hard.

"There was a full house in the afternoon and later we even managed to put on a first day reception.

"It was a tremendous effort.

"The trouble with flu is that things are likely to carry on being pretty bad.

"There is nothing people can do once they've got it because if they come into work they pass it on to others."

Comedian Phil Walker is starring as Buttons in the show which also features a cast of champion ice skaters from around the world.

Cinderella on Ice runs until January 9 and tickets are available on 01254 582582.

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