A Kent theatre has had to cancel its Christmas pantomime shows due to the "devastating effect of Covid".

Cast and crew at the Hazlitt Theatre in Maidstone have been hit badly by the virus, forcing them to cancel shows from its 2.30pm show today until the 2.30pm show on Wednesday, December 29.

The news comes after the theatre had to cancel its three Jack And the Beanstalk shows yesterday.

A statement from the company said: "Due to the devastating effect that Covid has had amongst our cast and crew, we have had to make the difficult decision to cancel all performances from Wednesday, December 22 up until Wednesday December, 29.

"All customers from today’s performance will be contacted by our box office and emailed over the next few days.

"We will be offering the option to exchange your tickets to our 2022 pantomime Sleeping Beauty, a full refund or credit note.

"Please do not call the box office at this time as our phone lines are very busy."

"We apologise for any inconvenience and upset this may have caused..."

The cancellation comes as many events around Kent are being postponed or cancelled due to the virus.

Anyone who wants to change their tickets to the 2022 pantomime or be refunded, should email hazlitt.boxoffice@parkwoodtheatres.co.uk with your chosen new performance date and time.

A spokesman for the Hazlitt Theatre added: "We apologise for any inconvenience and upset this may have caused."