Downderry and Seaton Village Hall Drama Group is braced for leading light Neil Asprey to bring down the curtain on his time as director after seven successful pantomimes.

Neil said of the panto Cinderella, being staged at Downderry Village Hall from today to Saturday, February 15 to 18 at 7.30pm: ‘The time has come for me to call it a day.

’I have so enjoyed directing this lovely band of people. After performing in panto here for a couple of years, I was persuaded to take over as director eight years ago and never expected it to last this long.’

Charlotte Evans is in the title role, with Lucy Walker as Prince Charming, Kim James as Dandini, Carol Tavener as Fairy Crystal, Steve Cotton and Kevin Done as the Ugly Sisters, Tim Pullin as Baron Hardup, Kate Entwistle as Buttons, Marian Candy as the Majordomo and Dan Foote as the innkeeper.