PRODUCERS behind the new family pantomime Cinderella - which opens on December 22 at The Hilton Brighton Metropole - have announced their cast for the show.

The line-up will see David Essex appear on screen as Baron Hardup.

Other attractions include West End performer Joseph Peters, Alasdair Buchan and career pantomime dame David Hill.

The cast boasts a host of local celebrities in Lou Nash and Alex Baker from Juice 107.2, Keris Lea from The Sundaes and Dean Kilford from Latest TV, 1 Brighton FM and BBC Sussex.

A countywide ‘Search for Cinders’ was mounted just over a month ago which resulted in more than 300 applications from actresses hoping to play Cinderella.

Co-producer and writer Tim Newman said: “Hannah Bailey, who will be playing Cinderella, offers us everything we were hoping for in this part and I know that every young girl in the audience will fall in love with her.”

Cinderella is being produced by Brighton Premiere which is a collaboration of two Brighton companies - E3 and The Brighton Academy of Performing Arts.

The creative team is also comprised of West End stars, and has two cast members from 2015’s Disney’s live action version of Cinderella.

This spectacular new production, which features a huge LED video wall and one of the largest pantomime casts in the country is only half of the experience.

Ticket holders to the 750-seated auditorium will also enjoy free entrance to a magical Christmas Fayre including delicious food options, dodgems and a chance to meet Santa himself!

Each performance will also be raising money for the three biggest children’s charities in Sussex, Chailey Heritage Foundation, Chestnut Tree House and Rockinghorse

Tickets can be purchased at www.brightonfamilypanto.com