A return to past glories is promised as Glusburn Institute stages its annual family pantomime.

Leading local director Steven Clark is returning after four years to take the helm of Cinderella.

The cast of 35 seven to 25-year-olds includes both regular cast members and experienced newcomers.

Stability is promised thanks to a reformed committee and the revival of the Glusburn Youth Theatre name.

The chairman is Howard Clough whose father was a central figure at the Institute for several decades.

Writer Alan and producer Mollie Thornton were in charge when the Glusburn panto tradition was at its height in the 1980s and early 1990s. One highlight of Cinderella will the -- as in past years -- the flying ballet where youngsters soar across the stage on wires.

Pulling Cinderella's carriage will be a live Shetland pony -- according to Mr Clough a first for the area.

The animal, provided by the Haworth Riding for the Disabled, has already rehearsed with the cast so the children could get used to it.

Assisting Steven are choreographer Fiona Spencer, a former panto cast member returning after several years theatrical training and teaching, and assistant director James Jennings.

Steven comes to the Institute as director and writer following his success with The Railway Children last autumn for Keighley Playhouse.

Transferring from the Keighley cast are youngsters including Chloe Judge as the fairy godmother, Jason Jennings as Baron Hardup and Teona Gott as Twinkle.

Teona's sister Naiomi will play the title role in Cinderella opposite Mary Long as Prince Charming The principals also include Gabriella Feather as Dandini, Callum Spencer as Buttons, Philip Gamble and Iain Barwick as the ugly sisters, plus Ethan Sanderson, Sophie Birks, Natasha Bowers, Hannah Cairns, Kate Barton and Daisy Watkiss.

Glusburn Youth Theatre ran a competition for local schoolchildren to design a Cinderella image. The winner was Hannah Lucas from Sutton Community Primary School, who has received tickets and a Cinderella T-shirt.

The competition, which may become an annual event, was in memory of the late Keith Shaw who helped with the Glusburn pantomime for many years.

* Cinderella runs on February 19-26. Performances: first Saturday and Sunday 3pm; Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 7.15pm; second Saturday 2.15pm & 7.15pm. Tickets £7 & £5 from Forget-Me-Not, Main Street, Cross Hills, or phone 01535 634971.