PERFORMERS, young and old, will be taking to the stage from tonight for as a theatre group puts on its latest production Beauty and the Beast.

Spennymoor Stage and Song is doing five performances of its panto at Spennymoor Town Hall.

The cast, which has performers ranging in age from seven to over 70, started working on the show back in September.

De Hickson, business manager at Spennymoor Stage and School, said: “We last did Beauty and the Beast about 20 years ago and we were looking for a panto that was that bit different, and this is definitely different.

“We started rehearsing when the schools went back after the summer. We have quite a big cast, with a wide age range.

“Everyone has enjoyed it. It has been a lot of fun but hard work too. We do absolutely everything ourselves - from the costumes to the scenery.”

In recent years productions by the popular group have included Return to the Forbidden Planet and Cinderella

The show runs every night until Saturday, starting at 7pm.

Tickets are £6 and available on the door. The Saturday matinee is sold out.

For more details, visit the Spennymoor Stage and Song Facebook page.