IT may be nearly two months until Christmas but at the Grand Opera House preparations are well underway for the festive pantomime.

This year will see legendary theatre and music star Anita Harris, Any Dream Will Do star Rob McVeigh and Malton actor Lauren Hood take to the stage to perform Cinderella.

Anita Harris will take the part of the baroness, Rob McVeigh as Dandini and, after a successful performance as Snow White in last year's panto, Lauren Hood returns as Cinderella.

A spokeswoman for the Grand Opera House said: "New Pantomime Productions return to the Grand Opera House York for the 16th year this Christmas with the most magical panto of them all - Cinderella!

"Follow Cinderella’s story as she journeys from rags to riches, helped along with way by her Fairy Godmother and the ever popular Buttons."

Anita Harris has a career spanning over fifty years, which started when, as a 15-year-old, she was spotted on a London ice rink. She was then whisked away to Las Vegas to appear, three times a night in a top venue. Returning to the UK she went on to work with The Cliff Adams Singers, appear in two Carry On films, grace the top of the pop charts, become a pantomime legend as Peter Pan and to star in Cats in the West End for 13 years.