A CHRISTMAS cracker of a pantomime kept youngsters entertained at a Horwich primary school.

The classic tale of Red Riding Hood was performed yesterday for enchanted youngsters at Claypool Primary School in Salisbury Road.

It was staged at the school as part of a national tour by Chaplins Pantos.

And the pantomime boasted one extra ingredient to the original fairy story . . . a Milky Way Magic Star.

However, all the old favourites were also there -- a trusting heroine, a wicked villain, a charming hero, a loveable fool, a wolf, and the grandmother.

In addition to providing all the traditional fun of the pantomime, the performance included a safety message for the children, not to go walking out on their own, or talk to strangers.

To support this, Milky Way Magic Stars has produced safety posters for all venues the pantomime will visit.

Teacher for Claypool's reception class, Mrs Denise Cox, said: "It was an absolutely wonderful performance. The children were active throughout and it suited them all from four years to 11-year-olds.

"In fact it kept their attention from the minute they sat down to the very end of the performance.

"We have never had the Chaplins group here before, but it was great fun.

"The pantomime was also something we could take back to the classroom with us. The children can talk about it, not talking to strangers, its safety message and the differences between good and bad."