THIS Christmas Bolton will be home to not one – but two – big productions.

It will be Dames handbags at dawn as the pantomimes come to town.

The Albert Halls is welcoming back the season classic for the first time since the venue reopened its doors earlier this year.

Cinderella is the chosen family favourite and will star CBeebies presenter Katy Ashworth - making a welcome return to the town, after entertaining audiences at previous Bolton Food and Drink Festivals.

Starting on December 2, it will coincide with Aladdin at the Macron Stadium which has been home to the yearly show since the Albert Halls closed its doors in 2015 for a £6.5 million renovation.

The inaugural show for the new halls will be produced by New Pantomime Productions Ltd.

Producer Simon Barry said : Obviously we have got to compete with the other pantomime. but we have brought some big guns in.

“I have done pantomimes where there have been two on in the same town. Obviously everyone has their favourites and can enjoy both.

“We have productions around the country but this is our first in Bolton.

“We are very excited to bring the pantomime back to the Albert halls. It is a proper venue right in the heart of town, just where a panto should be.”

Joining Katy on stage will be X Factor star David Heath, comedian Aiden J Harvey and Bosom Buddies from Britain’s Got Talent.

The panto will run until December 31 with morning, matinee and evening performances on offer.

Tickets for Cinderella are available now from Quaytickets on 0843 2081851 or at www.quaytickets.com/boltonalberthalls.

Booking for the macron production can be made by calling 0844 871 2932 or visiting www.eticketing.co.uk/bwfc.

Stu Francis is set to make his debut at Wanderer’s as Wishee Washee in the panto at the club’s Premier Suite from December 11 to December 24.

Joining Stu in the production is being staged by Gerry Graham is Joe Maw from CBBC’s Tracey BeakerTthe Dumping Ground, Dwain Haydn from TV’s The Voice and Farnworth stuntman Paul Flanagan.

Mr Graham has previously staged a number of productions in the town at the Albert Halls.