A FAMILIAR face of from television is swapping soap operas for pantomimes in Horwich.

Eastender's star Joshua Pascoe, best known for his role as murderous Ben Mitchell in the hit BBC drama, is leading the cast in production of Snow White and The 7 Dwarfs this Christmas.

The show is being staged in Horwich Leisure Centre before heading out on a UK theatre tour.

Pascoe said: "I am really looking forward to appearing in Snow White this Christmas as Muddles Snow White's best friend.

"Last year I played Dame in Cinderella down south and loved the experience and cant wait to get back into the pantomime mood again and have lots of fun."

He will be joined on stage, via an interactive video, by Coronation Street's Ashley Peacock, played by Steven Arnold, who appears as the Voice and Image of the Magic Mirror .

Victoria Roberts returns from last years production of The Wizard of Oz to play the evil Wicked Queen alongside singer Robert Brendan as Prince Lorenzo and Kate Greenwood as Snow White.

Producer Kevin Brown added: "Our company has been producing professional pantomime since 2007 and we can't wait to transform the Leisure Centre's performance space once again into a magical space filled with Magic Mirrors and lots of panto fun.

"This a brand new production of Snow White and The 7 Dwarfs we are really pleased to be able to bring it to Bolton this Christmas with performances for general public and we also have a number of school performances before touring the show to Kent for Christmas.

"We are also really pleased to have welcome Mervyn Francis to our team this year as our pantomime director, Mervyn has appeared in countless pantomimes at Bolton Albert Hall's' and brings his large knowledge of pantomime to this production."

Snow White and The 7 Dwarfs runs from November 26 to December 2 at Horwich Leisure Centre. Tickets are available via www.boltonpanto.co.uk or from the leisure centre.