THE actress who played the outrageous vamp Dorien in TV's Birds of a Feather has arrived in Newcastle to see if she can pave the streets with gold.

Lesley Joseph will be joined by John Nettles, from TV's Bergerac and Midsomer Murders, and Jeffrey Holland, who played Spike in Hi de Hi, in Dick Whittington, at the Theatre Royal in Newcastle.

Ms Joseph will play Fairy Bowbells, and Nettles King Rat, in a show which runs from today until January 20.

The stars will tell the tale of Dick Whittington and his trusty cat on their adventures to find London's streets paved with gold.

There will be the usual songs, dancing and audience participation to make the pantomime fun for all the family.

Theatre Royal general manager Peter Sarah said: "We are all thrilled to have the fantastic Lesley Joseph back at the Theatre Royal, and John Nettles is clearly the country's best King Rat. This year's panto is bound to get everyone's sides aching with laughter."

To book tickets, ring 0191-232 2061, or for group bookings, 0191-232 7076.