IT is a pirate’s life for the Tyldesley Little Theatre as it sets sail for a nautical Christmas.

Swashbuckling fun is at the heart of the theatre group’s show when it brings Treasure Island - The Panto to the stage shore.

The much celebrated family pantomime has been written by acclaimed playwright Alan P Frayn, who is responsible for the past 15 of Tyldesley’s Christmas shows.

It will see Tyldesley vice-chairman Ian Taylor in his 14th panto, returning as the Dame, and he promises “singing, silliness and swashbuckling” in equal measures.

He added: “Following the successful pantomime make-overs of The Snow Queen and Robin Hood, Tyldesley are now adding dizzy Dames, dotty double acts and carousing cabin boys to the classic Robert Louis Stevenson tale of buried treasure and desert islands – all in TLT’s typical fun and frolicsome family way!

“It’s everything you could hope for from a pantomime with added salty sparkle, it’ll kick start the countdown to Christmas wonderfully.

“The cast features Carly Lomax, as famed for her excellent singing voice as much as her great comedy talent, as Jim Hawkins and the award-winning Andrea Peters plays that most famous of pirates, Long John Silver.”

Alongside Lomax and Peters, who was runner-up for Best Actress in Comedy at the Bolton Amateur Theatre Societies awards this summer, are Karen Ward and Hannah Boardman as the comic double act, Connor Parkinson as a batty Ben Gunn and Ian Hunter and Alex Clarke.

The theatre is also presenting new and recent talent to audiences, including Jennifer Washington as the principal girl, Matt Walshaw as Potty Patsy the Pasty Maker and youngsters Lizzie Boardman, Charlie Boulton, Rhian Brady and Ellie Ward.

The show runs on November 25, 29, 30 and December 3, at 7.30pm, and on November 26, 27 and December 3, at 2.30pm

For more information or to book tickets call the box office on 01204 655619 or 01942 886908, or visit www.tlt.org.uk.