Three generations of the same family will be treading the boards in this year's 25th annual Llangollen pantomime.

Grandma, Vera Heath, has been in every show since the St Collen's Pantomime Group was formed in 1984.

Her daughter, Alison Parry from Trem y Ysgol, Llangollen, played the lead in the very first production, Jack and the Beanstalk and is this year's show choreographer.

Now, Vera's two grandchildren, Geraint, 14 and Dyfan, 11 are both in the junior chorus of this year's silver anniversary show, Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

Vera, from Maes Collen, Llangollen, said: "Pantomime is such great fun. I may be retired but I still enjoy every minute of it.

"It's wonderful to be celebrating 25 years of pantomime in the town!"

This year's show features a cast of 36 children and adults, who have been rehearsing since September to bring an annual pantomime feel to Llangollen Town Hall.

"Getting to this point has been a lot of hard work," admitted the show's director and co-writer, Pamela Williams from Lodgevale Park in Chirk, "but I'm sure, as they say in show business, it will be alright on the night."

"Everyone's been working hard and we're looking forward to giving the crowd a good night's entertainment."

As with all good pantomime, the title may be Goldilocks and the Three Bears but the script is only loosely based on the traditional childhood fairytale.

Pamela said: "We've got a Goldilocks character and three bears, but there's also a circus, a mad professor, woodland fairies and a bunch of hippies.

"Plus, we try and give the script a local feel with plenty of Llangollen references. It usually makes for a fun night, with plenty of ad lib."

"One character in particular, never sticks to his lines. No-one's sure whether it's because he hasn't learnt them or he's just interacting with the audience."

That character is pantomime dame, Berwyn Jones, from Llangollen. This year he plays Madame Strudel, circus owner and mother to Goldilocks.

Berwyn, who is also chairman of the pantomime group, protests: "Oh yes I do learn my lines – what slander to suggest I don't!"

Not surprising, being in panto-land, there is a faint chorus of 'oh, no you don't'.

More seriously Berwyn said: "The pantomime group has changed a lot over 25 years.

"We now encourage many more children and young people to take part.

"It's great to see youngsters who started with us when they were five and six now taking principle roles."

Beth Williams, 13, from Bishops Walk, Llangollen, who plays Goldilocks, is a good example. This will be her ninth show having started when she was just four.

"It's still great fun," pipes up Beth, slipping on her blond wig, instantly transforming her own brown hair into the golden locks of her character.

"Being in the pantomime has given me such confidence. I'm really looking forward to the show."

Goldilocks and the Three Bears is on at the Town Hall, Llangollen tonight, with two performances tomorrow and then on 11/12 January.

Tickets are available from Gwyn Davies Butchers, Jades Hairdressers or by calling Sharon Jones on 01978 861132.