HUNDREDS of talented boys and girls pursued their theatrical dreams when they auditioned for parts in this year's Maidstone pantomime.

The 200 excited youngsters were at he Exchange, Market Buildings, on Sunday to audition for dancing parts in the Hazlitt Theatre's 2003 pantomime, Dick Whittington.

The children were put through their paces by choreographer Emmanuelle Carvell, who taught them a short dance routine before asking them to perform in small groups.

About 10 youngsters aged 14 and upwards were chosen to be senior dancers, while more than 100 younger children, aged six and over, were cast as rats and juvenile dancers.

Emma Callow from Medway-based theatre production company Hammond, which is producing the panto and ran Sunday's auditions, said: "We had a mixture of talent there, some were from dance schools and some had just seen the advert in the paper and wanted to have a go.

"The senior dancers will be on stage every night to add a bit of glamour to the show - but the younger children will be rotated because of their age and their schooling. Education is very important."

The dancers begin rehearsing in November before taking part in an intensive session the week before the panto opens on Friday, December 5.

For more information on the pantomime, which runs until January 11, call the theatre on 01622 758611.