Wicked time for all as panto unveiled

TV soap star Kay Purcell has waved goodbye to the Yorkshire Dales to take part in a Shropshire town's annual pantomime spectacular.

The actress, who starred in ITV's Emmerdale, will play the Wicked Queen Helga in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs which opens at Oakengates Theatre in December.

Ms Purcell, who starred as battleaxe Cynthia Daggart, has also appeared in ITV's Celebrity Fit Club and BBC show Waterloo Road.

She donned her glitzy costume, signed autographs and posed for pictures in Telford Town Centre when the panto was officially unveiled on Saturday.

The actress first appeared in Emmerdale in 1997 in the guest role of Carmel Morgan, before taking on the role of Cynthia Daggart from 2001 to 2002.

She has also featured in hospital soap Holby City, gripping drama Messiah IV: The Harrowing, and starred in Bernard's Watch as teacher Ms Savage during 2003-04.

Since October 2007, she has played the role of head dinnerlady, Candice Smilie, in the BBC drama Waterloo Road.

Also starring in the pantomime are comedy duo Francis & Wheatley, while Chris Casserly plays Dame Dolly Dumpling, Victoria Scott is Snow White, Ian Billings plays Herman the Henchman and Leighton Rafferty is The Prince.

A spokesperson for the theatre said: "The show has romance, suspense, drama and laughter and includes something for everyone."

Snow White and the Severn Dwarfs runs at Oakengates Theatre@The Place from December 10 to January 3.

Tickets cost £12.50, with £11 concessions. A special ticket for a family of four is available for £42. For details and to book call (01952) 382382.

By Brett Gibbons