As thousands of children donned their new school uniforms this week, the stars turned out to don their wigs and corsets to talk panto.

The cast of the record breaking Marlowe Theatre pantomime - which this year will be Cinderella - gathered at the Canterbury theatre to get themselves into costume and character.

The show, which was seen by more than 100,000 people last year, will star Kent's own Phil “Mister Maker” Gallagher and former Coronation Street and Loose Women star Sally Lindsay, alongside Canterbury favourites, Ben Roddy and Lloyd Hollett.

Gravesend-based Harry Reid, best known for playing Ben Mitchell in EastEnders, joins the cast as Dandini.

Cinderella marks the 10th consecutive year panto producers Evolution Productions have brought audiences the Christmas extravaganza in Canterbury.

Cinderella writer, co-producer and director Paul Hendy said: “We’re incredibly proud of the Marlowe pantomime’s reputation for being one of the biggest and best pantomimes in the country.

"This year, we have an incredibly talented cast and I aim to make this production of Cinderella the most magical pantomime of all.

"We set the bar so high every year, every year we have to improve on that - there is pressure to deliver. But that inspires us to be better and better."

Phil Gallagher, from Medway, has appeared in several Marlowe pantomimes and this year returns as Buttons.

Known to millions for his role as BBC’s Mister Maker, his first airing on CBeebies was in 2007, and since the show has been a worldwide hit, with several live tours.

Former Coronation Street and Loose Women star Sally Lindsay, who has just finished filming the latest series of Still Open All Hours for the BBC, will be playing the Fairy Godmother.

"I worked with Evolution last year and I was evil then - so I'm nice this year," she said.

She admitted she had some trepidation about possibly having to "fly" on stage, but planned to get into training early.

Harry Reid, who is currently appearing in Agatha Christie’s Witness For The Prosecution at London's County Hall, said he was excited to take on his first panto role.

"I had friends who had done panto with Evolution and worked with Paul and spoke highly of him, so I was incredibly excited when he came to me," he said.

The 26-year-old, who lives in Gravesend, admitted he missed the character of Ben, and said: "I love the characters I play. I haven't got into character yet for this - I am a blank canvas as far as panto goes."

The Ugly Sisters will be played by Ben Roddy, who was named Dame Of The Year at the Great British Pantomime awards for his role in Peter Pan last year, and Marlowe regular Lloyd Hollett.

The cast also includes Patrick Clancy as Baron Hardup, Oliver Watton as Prince Charming and Cara Dudgeon as Cinderella.

The show, which is sponsored by Iconic Jewellery Store, with venue sponsor One Pound Lane, runs from Friday, November 23 to Sunday, January 6.

Tickets, from £14.75, are available by calling 01227 787787 or visiting marlowetheatre.com.