THE greatest panto story ever is being told in Lowton courtesy of The Apple Players.

They are presenting the rags to riches story of Cinderella which runs until Saturday at the Civic Hall, one of a trio of the traditional shows which take to the stage during January.

Leigh's oldest society, St Joseph's Players follow up with Dick Whittington which has a 10-day run from January 18 to 28, and church thespians CINBADS are doing their version of the same show between January 26 and 29,

The Apple Players' romantic lead characters of Cinderella and Prince Charming are in the experienced hands of Sarah Parr and Vicki Birchall. Producer/director Guy Tudgay said: "Even the smallest child usually knows the tale of Cinders, and everyone loves the story. We use a very strong cast of actors and dancers and each show gets better and better."

Rachel Clarke compliments the Prince as Dandini while the two Ugly Sisters, are played by Allan Richardson and Jim Taylor.

Another strong performance comes from Steve Roe as Baron Hardup while Guy again takes on Buttons.

Double act father and son Keith and Jono Pendlebury are the very funny brokers men while Michelle Amberry is the Fairy Godmother. The chorus/ensemble is made up of Stagecoach Theatre School pupils and The Apple Dancers. The show runs to Saturday. Curtain up is 7.30pm with an additional matinee on Saturday at 2pm.

St Joseph's Players are producing Dick Whittington as their first show of 2006. Rehearsals are in full swing with a number of new faces, including Lionel Kempster who will play King Rat. Writer-director Doreen Johnson said: "Leigh folk will find it easy to boo him. He comes from Yorkshire and supports Bradford Northern.

Tickets for the popular annual panto, which runs from January 18 to 28 (including two Saturday matinees) are now on sale at Boardman's, Bradshawgate, Leigh.

CINBADS (Churches Together in Boothstown) will present five performances of Dick Whittington in the Holy Family Scout and Guide Hut, Chaddock Lane, Boothstown.

The curtain will rise from January 26 to 29 inclusive at 7.30pm and on a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm. Tickets at adults £5 (except Thursday when they're all £3) and children £3, are available from Ann Haigh on 0161 799 6672.