The first performance of a traditional pantomime by a local theatre company was held last night.

The 53rd Christmas Pantomime by Woodford Pantomime, a sub-group of the Woodford Operatic and Dramatic Society (WOADS), performed to a 400 seat sell-out crowd at the Sir James Hawkey Hall, in Broomhill Road, Woodford Green.

Sleeping Beauty will run for 10 days from January 2 to 12.

Woodford Pantomime committee member Judy Linard, 53, believes the tradition is experiencing something of a revival.

She said: “Every year we see a range of people coming through the door to our shows and the audience gets more and more diverse.

“Pantomime is a peculiar British tradition but I think it is experiencing a revival because there is still something for everyone."

There are 300 tickets available for the remaining performances which Ms Linard says is a record for the company. To book tickets, call 01992 524462.