THE pantomime bug continued to spread in South Tynedale as Haltwhistle Boardwalkers made a welcome return to the stage.

The group's members performed their own version of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, in front of appreciative audiences at Haltwhistle Community Campus over three showings, on Friday and Saturday.

This was the Boardwalkers' third annual panto, and it was arguably their best so far.

A cast of over 30 people, including many children, took part, and demonstrated the array of acting and singing talent in the town.

But there were other factors which indicated the Boardwalkers had moved things up a notch this year.

For the first time, they introduced a live band, and used a selection of creatively constructed backdrops which took viewers into the woods, to the Royal palace, and beyond.

Emily Boertien starred as Snow White, and gelled effectively with Prince Albert (Olivia Harrison), creating scenes of emotion and pathos throughout a challenging plot.

The fledgling romance of the main characters was threatened by the evil schemes of Queen Incontinentia (Ruth Hawkin), her sinister sidekick, Skivington (Sion McElveen), and Keiden Lowery, who portrayed Skivington after the queen turned the character into a crow.

Her authoritative presence intimated hapless pair Bogwort (Ruben Copley) and Stinkwort (Chris Smith) into hatching a plan to murder Snow White.

But the pair were more interested in entertaining the audience with a series of comedic scenes, which included a memorable rendition of Meatloaf's I Will Do Anything for Love .

More laughs were provided by pantomime dame Dolly Dumpling (Jonathan Kenworthy), Danny Dumpling (Shirley Nixon), and good fairies Glenda Goodheart (Janette Kendrew) and Wendy Wonderwings (Jade Henderson).

Donald True, a character based on the American president, was portrayed impressively by Martin Campbell.

The seven dwarfs, and their woodland cottage, provided a family environment for Snow White when she needed protection, until the place was broken into by the baddies.

Nevertheless, Chief Dwarf (Shay Lowery), Grouchy (Jenson Copley), Snoozy (James Nolan), Sniffly (James Little), Cheerful (Chelsie Postma), Dozy (Lewis Copley), and Gobby (Hannah Taylor); combined to great effect.

Director Emma Brownlee and her extensive production team can be proud of everyone involved.