The curtain rose on Swindon's panto, Goldilocks And The Three Bears, last night and it looks set to be a record breaker.

Tickets sales are already 20 per cent up on last year and Wyvern Theatre staff are hoping that this will continue through the run.

Theatre manager Andrew Lister said: "Fingers crossed it will stay that way and it will be a record-breaking year.''

The pantomime has the added attraction of several circus acts included within the story.

The clowns Tweedy and Alexis are making a welcome return to Swindon and there is a stunning high-flying trapeze act that swings out across the audience.

The clowns appeared as Ping and Pong in Aladdin at the Wyvern in 2000.

"It is a fantastic show. The circus acts need to be seen to be believed, especially if you are sitting in the front row,'' said Andrew.

There is an all-star cast this year with Vicky Binns, 21, better known as Ollie Reynolds from Emmerdale, Ross Davidson from EastEnders and Hollyoaks and Liam Dolan, 26, from GMTV Disney's Diggin' It.

Vicky is Goldilocks, Ross is the ringmaster and Liam is Billy the circus kid.

The panto is again under the guiding hand of Charles Vance.

It will be the eighth production from Charles and follows the success of Cinderella, Jack And The Beanstalk, Dick Whittington, Babes In The Wood, Snow White and Aladdin.

Also in the panto is the Rev Roger Royle, from BBC Radio 2's Half Hour.

Roger, who plays Dame Tilly is also a regular contributor to Pause For Thought on Wake Up Wogan for Radio 2.

Other panto stars include circus performer Amanda Sandow, Pollyann Tanner, from Tanwood School of Performing Arts and GWR presenter Howard Taylor.

The story of Goldilocks moving in on the three bears' porridge is well known but the panto gives a bit more background to the story.

Goldilocks is the daughter of a circus owner.

Her circus is in need of a new animal act so, with the help of the good fairy disguised as a bareback horse rider, Goldilocks sets off to find the three bears.

A rival circus, run by the wicked Jasper Black, is jealous of the sensational new act and attempts to kidnap the bears and mayhem is let loose in true panto style.

Goldilocks And The Three Bears runs from December 12, 2003, to January 10, 2004

Tickets are from £10 to £14 with discounts available for groups, families and party bookers.

Normal concessions apply. Contact the box office on 01793 524481.

Charles Vance panto productions at the Wyvern

1996 Cinderella starring Jess Conrad, 1960s idol, and comedian Bernie Clifton

1997 Robin Hood starring Paul Leyshon, soap star, and the Roly Polys comedy singing trio

1998 Jack And The Beanstalk starring Colin Baker, former Dr Who, and Jane, Rod and Freddy from Children's TV series Rainbow

1999 Snow White and the Seven Dwarves starring Jacinta Stapleton from Aussie soap Neighbours

2000 Aladdin starring Geoff Hinscliff from Coronation Street, Aleetza Wood, soap star from Home and Away, and Juliett Kaplan from Last Of The Summer Wine

2001 Cinderella starring Jane Tucker from Rainbow, Swindon's own Pollyann Tanner from Tanwood School of Dance and Performing Arts, and Bernie Clifton, comedian

2002 Dick Whittington starring Colin Baker, former Dr Who