IT may be summer, but the thoughts of one group of Teessiders are turning to Christmas.

Despite the genial weather, genies in lamps are on the minds of Middlesbrough Theatre which yesterday announced it is staging the pantomime Aladdin this Christmas.

Mike Burns, the bumbling handyman from The Brittas Empire is Widow Twankey, Mark Eden, former Coronation Street Mr Nasty, Alan Bradley, is Abanazer and Mark Monero, a familiar face from EastEnders is the Genie. Laura James has been cast as Aladdin in the Extravaganza Productions show.

The pantomime runs from December 7 to January 7, and booking is now open through the theatre box office on (01642) 815181