CHRISTMAS may seem a long way off, but the pantomime spirit is well and truly alive this month as the search for youngsters to star in The Churchill's panto Aladdin began in Bromley town centre yesterday.

A pop-up stage was set up in Market Square to kick off Robinson's Search For A Star campaign, with panto dame Widow Twanky and Princess Jasmine on hand to encourage children, aged six to 16, to sign up for auditions on September 19.

To be in with the chance of winning one of 20 to 30 roles in the annual festive show, which will star Melinda Messenger as the genie, all you have to do is get your parent or guardian to register you at robinsonssearchforastar.com

But hurry, because audition places are limited to 400.

Aladdin will run at The Churchill from December 3 to January 9. For tickets and more information, call 0844 8717620 or visit ambassadortickets.com/bromley