FOR the past 12 months, a church congregation has been raising money to ensure families across Radcliffe can enjoy a special Christmas treat.

About 150 people, young and old alike, descended on St Mary's Parish Church for a magical traditional performance of Cinderella.

A cast from the Pantos Bus company were the stars behind the festive show performed to dozens of children on Sunday afternoon.

It is the second consecutive year that the church has staged a pantomime, following its debut Dick Whittington last December.

Vicky Ormrod, a member of the Parochial Church Council who attended the event, said: "There was double the amount of people at this year's event.

"It was a lovely afternoon with families enjoying the performance and getting involved with the traditional booing and hissing of the villain, Madame Tooty Hard-up, and cheering for Cinderella and her Prince Charming, with both adults and children singing and dancing to the familiar songs.

"This is the second time this event has been held and we hope to continue it as a yearly event, funds permitting."

The church puts on the free pantomime for people living across Radcliffe by fundraising throughout the year.

Funds from their monthly Saturday morning cafe, as well as refreshments sold on the day and proceeds from raffles, enable visitors to have free entrance.

Vicky said that the church had "a great response" to this year's 90-minute show.

The Panto Bus have provisionally been booked for the same time next year.