A pantomime group has been nominated for a prestigious award for its production earlier this year.

Woodford Pantomime, based at Sir James Hawkey Hall in Broomhill Road, Woodford Green, is up for a NODA Pantomime Award for its performance of Sleeping Beauty in January this year.

The winner and runner-up will be announced at the London Region Conference at the Wyllyots Theatre in Potters Bar on July 6.

NODA is the National Operatic and Dramatic Association which provides support for amateur theatre.

Group director of the last three years, Dawn Young, said she is thrilled with the nomination, which sees the company go up against 11 others from around the country.

She said: “We are thrilled, it was a fabulous show and it is nice for it to be recognised by a national organisation.

“It makes us all proud to have been a part of it, and hopefully it will mean more people get involved next year.

“It sets us up nicely for auditions that start this weekend, we are all excited to get going."

Auditions for next year’s performance of Cinderella will take place for dancers, chorus and principals on Sunday between 10am and 1pm at The Theydon Bois Scout Hut and next Wednesday between 7pm and 9pm at the Theydon Bois Youth Centre.

The pantomime group has been reassured by Vision Redbridge Culture and Leisure that the pantomime is part of future plans.

This is despite controversial plans to close Woodford Green Library, in Snakes Lane West, and move services to Hawkey Hall, which had put the pantomime in doubt.