PANTOMIME season might be some time away but for one community there are fears it might not arrive at all.

Ferryhill Stage Society will not perform a pantomime in Mainsforth Community Centre, Ferryhill, County Durham, this year.

Bill Holdsworth, chairman of the community centre, said the decision could end a tradition dating back more than 20 years at the centre.

However, Mr Holdsworth is appealing to other drama groups in the region in the hope that one can come to Ferryhill’s aid.

He said: "We have been having pantomimes here since there year dot and it would be a real shame if they stopped.

"The Ferryhill Stage Society have said they are too busy with their production of Oliver, in October, to be able to do this year’s.

"The panto has always been really popular and it’s a nice big old theatre style hall with room for 200 downstairs and 100 in the balcony.

"We usually do a three night run and it tends to sell out for two of them."

Mr Holdsworth said he would welcome amateur dramatics groups who might already be performing elsewhere to tour their production in Ferryhill.

Alternatively the centre’s stage and lighting rig can be made available to rehearse a pantomime specifically for Ferryhill.

For more information call 07814-965724.