TOURISM chiefs have written to X-Factor judge Gary Barlow inviting him to see North Yorkshire's biggest seaside resort for himself after he compared one of the doomed acts on the show with the opening of a bad pantomime in Scarborough.

The Take That star made the comments to Johnny Robinson on last night's show before the act was voted off.

Tony Peers, who is behind this year's production of Aladdin in Scarborough, said: "I am sure he means well.

"It is a bit of a cheek coming from the judge of the biggest panto on tele and, as we speak, I am making a banner to put outside Scarborough Spa saying 'as criticised by Gary Barlow' so you know it must be good."

Now Welcome to Yorkshire - the official destination management organisation for the region - has written to X-Factor to invite Barlow to sample the UK's oldest seaside resort for himself.

Chief executive Gary Verity said: "Not only is Scarborough the UK's oldest seaside resort, it was the third most visited place in the UK last year and serves the best fish and chips in the world.

"We would love to host Gary and show him Scarborough first-hand - and to prove that theres not a single bad panto in sight."

Aladdin is being staged at The Spa, in the resort.