VETERAN youth leader Kathryn White is preparing for her 50th community pantomime.

The 65-year-old, who has been involved with Oxhill youth Club, near Stanley, since it opened in 1962, is playing one of the comedy duo, The Daft Lads, in Jack and the Beanstalk.

The group has been putting on live performances at Stanley Civic Hall for almost half a century, but this will be Ms White’s last.

Ms White, who lives in Tantobie, said: “I am sad in a way it will be my last, but 50 is a nice number to end on.

“The pantomime is part of the club, and I love the club.”

The pantomimes are held every year to raise money for Cancer Research as founder member Alan Westwater lost his mother to the disease.

This year the charity is extra special to Ms White as she is undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer herself.

When her treatment is over she plans to emigrate to Spain to live with her sister on the Costa del Sol.

She added: “The pantomime has been a good way of making money, and I hope it is something that goes on for years to come.”

“But as soon as I am finished the treatment I am packed and will be away.”

The show runs from Tuesday to Friday, February 2-5 at 7pm, with a Saturday matinee at 2pm and evening performance at 6pm. Tickets cost £7 for adults, £6 concessions and can be booked by calling 01207-299-110.