The county's own funnyman, Joe Pasquale, kicked off the festive celebrations for Dartford in autumnal sunshine.

The Higham-based comedian, sporting comedy big hands, was among the stars launching the countdown to the opening of the Orchard Theatre's pantomime, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

The show by Qdos Entertainment, features Joe as Muddles, with seasoned Dame Ceri Dupree and Rachel Stanley, who grew up in Gravesend, as the Wicked Queen.

The show, which opens on Saturday, December 10, will feature 3D effects, which proved popular last year, and other dramatic special effects.

Joe has been in showbusiness for 30 years and won I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! in 2004. He recently brought his national tour, One Man and his Bog, to the county, and has also qualified as a pilot after lessons at Rochester.

Speaking at the launch at Hall Place House and Gardens in Bexley, Joe, who last starred in panto at the theatre six years ago, said: "Coming back to Dartford means I'm only 10 minutes down the road and can go home every night.

"No-one really knows what to expect. I'll rip the script up and do what I want - that's the fun of it. I have some parts where I can do what I want, so we'll just have to see what happens!"

He will be starring alongside Ceri Dupree, who plays Dame Dolly Diamond. The pair have done panto together for the past eight years.

Theatre director, Chris Glover, said: "After the huge success we had last year with Shane Richie, I'm delighted that we will be welcoming this wonderful trio of talent to the Orchard Theatre. We couldn't have wished for a more entertaining team."

The show runs from Saturday, December 10 to Saturday, December 31. For tickets visit orchardtheatre.com or call 01322 220000.