Hovingham residents can enjoy a pantomime with a difference this Christmas as the local amateur dramatics group stages its show Melange De Trois.

In a radical approach, director Wendy Swann has combined three different panto themes, and has also included more modern influences.

Wendy said: "We start off with a take-off of The Royle Family, who turn out to be Goldilocks' parents. Goldie then goes into a dream world and wakes up in the Three Bears' house, before meeting Little Red Riding Hood who then takes her to see the Three Little Pigs. It is certainly a different way of doing things, and I'm not sure where the idea came from - I just sat down, started to write and it went from there." And in a generous gesture to elderly villagers, Wendy has decided to put on a free night for OAPs next Wednesday.

She said: "We just thought it would be a nice thing to do and so we are hoping for a full house on the night. It certainly looks as though we will be playing to sell-out crowds on the other nights - tickets are selling fast, so if you want one buy it now."

The show will be staged on December 7, 8 and 9 in Hovingham Village Hall, with the free OAP night on December 6. Tickets, priced £5 (£2 concessions), are available from Hovingham Stores.