PANTO stars Keith Chegwin and Roxanne Pallett helped choose the newest cast member for this year's production of Dick Whittington at the Macron Stadium.

The celebrity pair, who will be featuring in the the Big Bolton Panto this Christmas, were on the panel of judges tasked with auditioning some of the region's best acting talents for the role of the pantomime villain on Saturday.

More than 20 hopefuls went through the audition process at the stadium, before Mark Paterson, aged 27, from Chorley, was finally chosen to play the part of King Rat.

Keith, who will be playing Idle Jack in the production this Christmas, said: "Whenever I jump into the back of a cab, all I hear is about someone's son or daughter who has great talent and it's true.

"I recently did a charity event where they brought on five acts that you will probably never see again and they were brilliant. Television and theatre ignores so much of the talent we have in this country, so why not give them a chance to appear on stage?

"I love panto so much, I even did an Easter panto this year and it was packed out all over the country.

"I have never done Dick Whittington before and it's really fresh for me, which is fantastic.

"I like the audience participation from beginning to end and I like a safe, traditional panto with none of the filthy gags or anything. Anyone from age eight to 80 should be able to come and watch and have a good time."

The 59-year-old, best known as a presenter on shows including Multi-Coloured Swap Shop, is also looking forward to performing a panto in the North for the first time.

He added: "I have never done a panto up north before and there is a big difference to southern audiences. Here, people come out to party but down south they sit down and say 'Come on, entertain me.'

"I've come here to enjoy myself and I'm really looking forward to it."

This is the second year in a row that panto organisers have looked for local talents to fill a key role, after launching a search last year for someone to play Jill in Jack and the Beanstalk.

Ex-Emmerdale star Roxanne said: "I'm so excited to be stepping into such a magical Christmas show here this December. I love the North and I hope to see you all there when we take to the stage for some festive fun, music and family entertainment over the Christmas holidays."

Fellow judge David Burton, who will play Alderman Fitzwarren, added: "Pantomime is quite a difficult art and it takes someone with a special charisma to play this role.

"It's especially important here because as the main villain, King or Queen Rat will be the first person on stage and they really have to grab the audience.

"It's a hugely important role. We have seen some wonderful people here and it has been very difficult to narrow it down to just one."

To book tickets for the pantomime, visit bigboltonpanto.co.uk.