IT may be sunny outside in York, but preparations are well under way already for this winter's Grand Opera House pantomime, with the cast heading for completion for Cinderella And The Lost Slipper.

This progress has inspired the Cumberland Street theatre's own "grand dame", ticketing and sales manager David Rennie, to go on a shoe-shopping spree. David never misses a chance to dress up, but his endless indecision at L K Bennett's store, in Low Petergate, left his sartorial assistant for the day, marketing manager Rachel Alexander-Hill, in a state of despair.

Cinderella And The Lost Slipper will run from December 14 to January 5 with a cast of Liberty X singer Michelle Heaton as a very hip Fairy Godmother; Hull actress and Milkshake presenter Amy Thompson as Cinderella; John D Collins, from 'Allo 'Allo!, as Baron Hardup; Middlesbrough magician and entertainer Martin Daniels as Buttons and actor and singer Danny Rogers, son of the late comedian and TV presenter Ted Rogers, as Dandini.

Panto dame Steve Wickenden and Coronation Street star Ken Morley will return from last year's cast to play the Ugly Sisters, veteran Morley being cast as the younger stepsister in Cinderella tradition. The casting of the Prince of York will be announced soon.

Tickets are on sale on 0844 871 3024 or at atgtickets.com/york