DINERS at a pizzeria did a triple-take this week when members of the cast of a Christmas panto visited in costume.

And where else would the performers choose but Pinocchio.

The young actors dropped into the restaurant in New Road, Brighton, ahead of rehearsals for The Amazing Adventures of Pinocchio.

The Christmas and New Year production will once again be featuring professional actors, singers and dancers with a supporting cast of schoolchildren.

The show is being staged at The Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts, formerly the Gardner Arts Centre at Sussex University, Falmer.

Panto producer James Weisz said: “We had a wonderful time at Pinocchio pizzeria and we’re grateful to restaurant manager Olga and her team for making our little Pinocchio actors so welcome.

“It’s heart-warming to have Brighton businesses and the community supporting what we do,.

“What could possibly be more appropriate for this year’s panto than eating at Pinocchio?”

This is the first time a pantomime has been produced at the university venue loin more than ten years.

Tickets for the production, which opens on December 20 and runs until January 6 can be bought via www.attenboroughcentre.com or by calling 01273 678822.