PANTO stars, including former Coronation Street landlady Denise Welch, donned their costumes to promote the show yesterday.

The whole cast of Jack and the Beanstalk, including a huge, mechanical giant, took time out of rehearsals at Newcastle's Theatre Royal to pose for the cameras.

Denise also gave a boost to the city's Giving Tree appeal for needy children by giving the Eldon Square shopping centre tree a magic watering to boost its growth of gifts.

The stars are appearing from tomorrow until January 19 in the spectacular Christmas show.

A theatre spokesman said: "It's going really well at the moment. Ticket sales are doing better than at this time last year."

For details of show times, which will normally be 2pm and 7pm, ring the box office on 0191-232 2061.