Ticket-holders left high and dry after the Maidstone Pantomime cancelled all further performances of Snow White have been offered a lifeline by a rival production.

The Swale Community Leisure Trust said it will give free tickets to their production of Jack and the Beanstalk for families who can prove they had tickets to Snow White.

Pantomime producers Kevin Brown and Darren Paine of Trio Entertainment said they were saddened to hear of the closure of The Maidstone Pantomime.

Mr Brown said: "We want to do something to help those disheartened families this Christmas."

The offer of free tickets is for the 7pm show at the Swallows Leisure Centre in Sittingbourne on Saturday, December 22.

Anyone wishing to take the opportunity to access these free tickets must bring proof of purchase of the Snow White tickets - the new tickets will be then issued on a first come first served basis, but they can be reserved by emailing andrea.chase@serco.com with proof of purchase for Snow White.

Those that are successful in receiving the free tickets will receive a confirmation email and should take a copy with them to the venue.

Among those affected was Sheppey teenager Poppy Clayton, 13, who goes to school in Sittingbourne and was playing one of the seven dwarfs.

She only learned of the panto's closure after reading it on Facebook.

A review of the show is here.

On other dates, the producers of Jack and the Beanstalk are offering 10% off any performance to those who can show proof of purchase of Snow White tickets.

The company is looking to add an extra performance on Christmas Eve to cope with the expected increase in demand.

Jack and the Beanstalk stars Steven Arnold, who played Coronation Street favourite Ashley Peacock for 14 years.

He will be starring as the giant’s evil henchman Fleshcreep in the Sittingbourne panto.

Joining him on stage at The Swallows will be Katie Burke, who is returning after playing Belle in Beauty and the Beast last Christmas.

And for the third year in a row, resident dame Tilly Trott will be played by Harry Moore.

The role of Jack will be filled by Tom Balmont and Olivia McLaughlin is going to be in character as Fairy Beansprout.

The cast will be joined by youngsters from the Kent School of Dance, which meets at The Swallows.

Tickets for the eighth annual pantomime are on sale now priced between £8.50 to £12.50.

To book, call the Swallows Leisure Centre reception on 01795 420420 or visit www.sittingbournepanto.co.uk

A group of adults with learning difficulties were left looking for a replacement Christmas trip and a family who have had a tough year have been heartbroken by the news after a tough year.

The Hazlitt Theatre has said they will put on an extra show to help, although tickets for the New Year's Eve performance have now sold out.