A RECORD-BREAKING 30,302 people saw this Christmas's pantomime at the Albert Halls, Bolton.

Forty performances of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves were sold out and the theatre was filled to 90 per cent of its capacity, on average, during the rest of the shows.

Delighted Albert Halls entertainment manager Phil Smith said: "We were confident that the show would be very successful, but it's exceeded even our expectations."

The show, which opened on December 5, and closed on January 11, starred Stu Francis, with Kenny Baker, who played R2 D2 in Star Wars, as the head of the seven dwarves. The show had a supporting cast and chorus from Bolton Dance and Performing Arts College.

Plans are already being made for next year's show - the title of which will be announced at the end of this month.