YOUNG actors from a southwest Durham youth club are putting the finishing touches to their annual pantomime.

Fishburn Youth and Community Centre's production of Aladdin marks the group's 25th annual performance.

The cast received the scripts in July and are going through the final dress rehearsals before Friday's opening night.

Gareth Harland, who plays the Genie, said: "It has been a lot of work this time round, because there are more of us who have jobs or are at university, which we have to juggle with the rehearsals."

Youth worker Richard Parkin said: "There is a lot of work goes into the production and it is a great example of the community working together.

"It's not just the actors on the stage, there is the costumes, the make-up, the lights, and every year seems to get a bit more ambitious."

Performances to the show are on Friday at 7.30pm; Saturday at 2pm; Monday and Tuesday at 7.30pm; February 8,15 and 22, at 7.30pm.

Admission is £2 for adults and £1 for children at the door, but the first show is tickets only. Tickets are available from the Fishburn Youth and Community Centre.