IT'S panto time again. At the weekend scores of young wannabes flocked to the Albert Halls, Bolton, for auditions for this year's production of Cinderella. Reporter Beverly Greenberg went along to see them being put through their paces. TOES pointed, arms were flailing, and a sea of coloured leotards filled Bolton's Festival Hall.

One tiny youngster hopped enthusiastically, then focusing with a stern look of concentration, began her stretching exercises.

Others, older than her, slowly stretched and bent double with all the purpose of a prima ballerina.

These were the juniors -- the "under-five footers" preparing to audition for a chorus role in Bolton's annual Christmas pantomime.

"I have been dancing for years," one tiny youngster proclaimed, while another tiny tot declared: "This is what I want to do when I grow up".

The group of more than 100 youngsters was called to order. They flounced down to the ground, and sat looking up earnestly to listen to what the choreographer, Maxine Harrison, of the Fame Factory had to tell them.

Maxine, their own fairy godmother, who alone could grant them their wish of performing in Cinderella this Christmas, told them: "Before you dance a step you all stand the same chance."

Mothers, fathers, and grandparents watched from the sidelines as Maxine told them they too would be included: "We like to keep the family involved."

Then, the youngsters sprang back up to their feet. Warm ups once again resumed and floor space became a rare commodity. Glynis Allen, a mother from Westhoughton, is a veteran of such occasions. She explained her daughter, Toni, aged 14, in the over-five footers due to audition in the afternoon, had been chosen to perform in Bolton's pantomime twice before.

She said: "It has been quite enjoyable and a good social occasion too. Parents are involved and invited into rehearsals.

"This morning before we came Toni said Christmas wouldn't quite be the same if she wasn't chosen."

For mother Francesca Walsh from Swinton, it was a first. Her daughter, Sasha, aged nine, was auditioning. She said: "Sasha goes to dance school, but this is just a bit of fun. There is no pressure on her whatsoever."

Sasha, number 26 pinned onto her leotard, said: "I am pleased to be here. I have been dancing since I was two-and-a-half. This is what I want to do when I am older."

Gerry Graham, who writes the script and music for the pantomime, explained: "Every year we get this number of children who come to audition for such a small number of chorus parts.

"It is great because it means we can keep our standards high. We get the pick of the bunch of North West dancers.

"We are looking for technical ability in modern, tap and ballet dance.

"But more importantly we need personality. If you look at a line of children, one or two youngsters always stand out. We want our entire line to shine.

"We are looking for kids who sparkle."