PANTO stars spread a little festive cheer when they visited sick children facing Christmas in hospital.

Lisa Riley and other performers from Darlington Civic Theatre's show, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, dropped in on youngsters in the town's Memorial Hospital.

The cast paid a visit to the children's ward after taking time out from their gruelling six-week schedule. The panto is running until Sunday, January 18, with both evening and matinee performances.

Tickets are available from the box office or by calling (01325) 486555.