IT may only be September, but preparations for York Theatre Royal's Christmas panto are already getting into full swing.

Scores of youngsters aged from eight to 11 turned up at the adjacent De Grey Rooms on Saturday to take part in auditions to star in this year's show, Old Mother Goose.

They included Oliver Fox, 11, from Acomb, who has taken part in the last three pantos and was aiming for his fourth and final appearance. "It has been a really good experience," said Oliver, accompanied by his mother Melanie, who herself appeared in two pantos in the 1990s.

The children were auditioned by choreographer Grace Harrington, musical director Elliot Styche and director Damian Cruden, with 12 eventually chosen to take part in the panto.

Old Mother Goose will be Berwick Kaler's 36th annual panto, making him the UK’s longest serving pantomime dame. It opens on Thursday December 11 and runs until Saturday January 31, with tickets priced from £11 - £28.50.