THE curtain could come down on a pantomime before it has even had its opening night.

Thieves have stolen microphones worth £1,145 from Edgworth Panto Group, leaving the production team and cast - including 80 children - devastated.

Musical director Dave Smith said: "We face the dilemma of working without microphones - which would mean a very quiet pantomime - or cancelling it completely. We are all thoroughly down about the whole episode."

Five microphones were stolen after a rehearsal at the Barlow Institute last Monday - less than two weeks before the show was due to open.

The group has been rehearsing their pantomime, Cinderella, since October.

The theft was discovered on Wednesday afternoon, when members of the group returned to the community centre in Bolton Road, Edgworth.

Cinderella, the group's third pantomime, is due to take to the stage on Friday and Saturday, with a matinee show on Sunday.

Further shows are scheduled for Friday, February 10 and Saturday, February 11, and the pantomime ends with a matinee on Sunday, February 12.

Mr Smith said: "The building was given to the people of Edgworth by the Barlow family at the turn of the 19th century. The reason the panto group was formed in the first place was to encourage the youngsters of the surrounding villages to participate in a panto, which would keep them off the streets and entertain the people of those villages."

The stolen microphones were part of a public address system which was purchased from grant money.

Mr Smith said: "The council has kindly loaned us some normal microphones, but these are not suitable.

"The mics that were stolen were special choir microphones, which pick up voices and singing from a long distance away.

"The money raised from the shows will be helping a well-deserving charity, Sight Savers International.

"This makes the task of finding the microphones or replacing them that more urgent."

Adam Scott, director of regeneration, housing and neighbourhoods at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said the council hoped to provide better quality replacements in time for the first performance.

Local councillor Colin Rigby said: "Security at the well-used community centre is under review. We would appeal for the return of the microphones."

Anyone who can help the group ensure the show goes ahead should ring 01204 852116.