CHILDREN enjoyed some belated festive cheer thanks to News Shopper and Greenwich Theatre.

We teamed up with the theatre in Crooms Hill, Greenwich, to give 160 children the chance to watch its production of panto Aladdin for free.

We gave 80 tickets to two hospices St Christopher's in Lawrie Park Road, Sydenham, and the Greenwich and Bexley Cottage Hospice, Bostall Hill, Abbey Wood.

And we also gave 80 tickets to children from the Coldharbour Estate in Mottingham.

Last month we reported how the children had been left devastated after conman David Cooper failed to deliver the Christmas presents and party he had promised them.

But News Shopper and the theatre stepped in to provide the free panto tickets for the youngsters.

The children enjoyed their night out on January 4.

Theatre spokesman James Haddrell said: "We are delighted we could work with News Shopper to make this happen.

"We hope the children had fun and a night to remember."