TO GET your New Year off to a cracking start there is plenty of family entertainment on offer. The New Eltham Methodist Church Pantomime Group is staging its 35th production, Puss In Boots, opening on Saturday.

This version of the classic children's tale is brought up to date with characters such as Dame Vanilla Barker-Poles and the evil villain Moldewort, who terrorises the villagers of Little-Lacking-Up-The-Top with wicked magic spells.

Puss in Boots, January 7, 13 & 14, Community Centre, Footscray Road, New Eltham, 020 8851 9881.

Also celebrating 35 years of panto are the Swanley Players with a production of Little Red Riding Hood.

The youngsters in the cast are from the Wilmington-based Auntie Jeanie's Theatre Group.

To find out about the group, for children from eight to 12 years old, call 01322 221056.

Little Red Riding Hood, January 13, 14, 20 & 21, Five Wents Memorial Hall, Main Road, Hextable, 01322 409836.

Meanwhile magical high-jinks are afoot when Jack And The Beanstalk comes to Erith.

Evil witch Belladonna is up to no good, kidnapping Jack's mum, Widow Spratt, and causing plenty of trouble with the giant.

Jack And The Beanstalk, January 7-21, Erith Playhouse, High Street, Erith. Call the box office on 01322 350345 or visit playhouse.org.uk/tickets