SCHOOLCHILDREN and their parents are nearing their final week of rehearsals before the annual Chesterton Village Pantomime.

The pantomime troupe are proudly presenting their 22nd pantomime, which this year is the classic tale of Rapunzel.

Parents started the village performance more than two decades ago to support Chesterton Church of England Primary.

Since then the money it has brought in has helped fund new equipment such as interactive whiteboards, plus other extras such as school trips.

Each year the pantomime hopes to raise about £1,500 for the school and this year promises 'even more singing, dancing, dancing and badly timed jokes.'

Director Clare Kavanagh said: "The pantomime itself has also grown and developed over the years and now has an impressive stage and lighting set, and for the past six years it has included some of the older children from Chesterton School as well."

The tale takes its audience through the traditional tale of Rapunzel, who was traded for a herb as a baby and grows up secluded in her tower.

Each year she is fascinated by the lanterns released through the skies on her birthday, but little does she know they're being released by her true parents.

Ms Kavanagh added: "The pantomime is also very much a family affair as two of the original cast members now have grandchildren at the school and many of the cast, past and present, have children on stage and back stage this year and in years gone by."

The pantomime will be performed at the school hall at Chesterton Primary on Friday, February 23 at 7.30pm.

It will also be performed on February 24 at 2pm and 7pm.

Tickets are £7 for adults and £5 for children and it is advisable to buy them prior to the night.

For details contact chestertonschoolassociation@gmail.com