NEARLY 100 hardy pantomime enthusiasts queued from the early hours outside York's Theatre Royal today as booking opened for this year's show.

The earliest arrival was Rita Wells, of Ellenthorpe, near Boroughbridge, who was outside the theatre at 3.20am.

Her friend, Madge Lister, 70, of Ellenthorpe took over Rita's front-line position at 7am to book 15 tickets for her family on January 8.

She said she had come early to be sure of securing seats in the dress circle. "I have been coming for ten or 12 years. It's a proper pantomime. I can bring the children because it's all good fun."

Jos Storey, 78, of Acomb, arrived at the theatre at 5.10am to save a space in the queue for her daughter, Jackie Young, 54 of Acomb.

Sue Natt, who works for the Royal Mail, arrived at about 6.45am to secure the entire dress circle for the Royal Mail's sports and social club.

She said the company had been going to the panto for 20 years.

Members of the theatre's marketing team donned pantomime costumes before greeting the people in the queue.

Panto star Berwick Kaler was also there, joking with the assembled crowd as he told them: "You really need to get a life."

The pantomime, Sleeping Beauty, is due to run from December 8 to January 29. Last year a record 53,000 seats were sold.

Phone bookings for the show begin tomorrow on 01904 623568.

Updated: 10:36 Thursday, April 01, 2004