The stars of this year's pantomime at the Hazlitt in Maidstone surprised shoppers with a photocall in the middle of Maidstone.

Melissa Suffield, best known as Lucy Beale from EastEnders, Emmerdale star Ben Freeman and Danielle McCormack, from children's television show My Parents Are Aliens, are just some of the famous faces appearing in this year's production, Beauty and the Beast.

They were in town for a costume fitting and to pose for pictures in Earl Street.

This is New World Productions’ third Christmas pantomime at the Hazlitt and is once again supported by the Kent Messenger.

For a full interview, see this Friday's Kent Messenger.

• The panto will play from Saturday, December 4, till January 9. Tickets priced from £6.95 to £12.50 are on sale now and already selling fast. Call 01622 758611 to book or go online to www.hazlittartscentre.co.uk