THE magical pantomime Cinderella comes to The Point in Eastleigh from January 12 to 15.

This will be the most spectacular pantomime ever produced by Mountbatten Players, the acclaimed Eastleigh Theatre Group.

The company has been producing spectacular pantomimes at The Point in Eastleigh for the past 14 years and each year they get bigger.

Mountbatten Players enjoy a close association with Countess Mountbatten House, named after the woman from whom the company originates, and, as usual, the production will be supporting the work of this local hospice.

Writer and director Peter Pitcher promises a truly sensational climax to the first half of the show, when Cinderella will be taken to the ball in a glittering crystal coach pulled by two real Shetland ponies as the snow falls around her and the fairy godmother.

Never before have two ponies been seen on stage at The Point.

"Anxious stage crew ready with dustpan and brushes need not worry," says Peter. "These ponies are professional theatrical horses and would not tarnish their professional reputation with the sort of accident normally associated with horses!"

The show promises the biggest professional band the company has ever engaged, exciting scenery from top London scenery suppliers Albermarle and - one of Mountbatten Players' hallmarks - a wonderful array of beautiful costumes supplied by international costume designer Bryan Philip Davies.

Tickets, priced from £7.50 for adults and £4.50 for concessions, are available from the box office on 02380 652333.