THIS year’s Thanet police pantomime has raised a record amount of money for charity.

Ali Baba and his Four and a Half Thieves played to full houses at Margate's Theatre Royal in January and raised £6,000 to be equally shared between the Thanet Pilgrim’s Hospice and the Demelza House Children’s Hospice at Sittingbourne.

It was the fourth annual police panto. Together the productions have raised £17,500 for worthy causes. The money was handed over at a presentation evening at Thanet police headquarters, Margate at the weekend.

A spokesman for the panto team said: “All those involved spent many hours of their own time to ensure a professional show was put on to rave reviews. This will help encourage even more successful fund-raising for more good causes next year.

“We want to thank all those who supported the shows and hope they will continue to do so.”