Theatre bosses last night unveiled the two big attractions it hopes will pull the crowds in for another record-breaking pantomime season.

Former glamour model-turned actress Linda Lusardi and her husband, former Brookside and Coronation Street star Sam Kane, will head the cast of Snow White at Darlington Civic Theatre.

The husband and wife team, who will play the Wicked Queen and the Prince, will be joined by children's television favourite Sooty for the show, which runs from December 5 to January 19.

Lusardi and Kane have a history of performing Snow White and actually met in the production of the show at Darlington seven years ago.

The theatre's last panto, Aladdin, was the most successful in Darlington's history, pulling 5,000 extra people through the doors, which equates to a ten per cent rise in the number of tickets sold.

Marketing manager Nick Bagshaw said: "Since the 1997/8 panto, we've seen a steady growth. Last year was a huge leap forward and we would like to think we could continue that.

"I think we've got every chance of doing so. There are a lot of magical elements with this panto."

The rest of the cast is expected to be announced in four to six weeks and Mr Bagshaw believes the classic story, mixed with the attractions of the stars, will be a major box office draw.

Mr Bagshaw said Aladdin's stars, The Chuckle Brothers, had a strong attraction for children, but this year's cast would appeal across the board.

And, once again, youngsters from a local stage school will be chosen to take part in the production.

"We always use local youngsters and there are a number of stage schools we work with," said Mr Bagshaw.

"It's a great opportunity for those youngsters to work with a professional company and a professional show."