What's on in panto-land this year.

IT'S that time of year again when men dress up as ladies and some poor bloke draws the short straw and has to play the back end of a horse!

Still it wouldn't be Christmas without the customary cross-dressing and thigh-slapping gags so here's our last minute round up of where to take your kids for some seasonal fun this Yuletide.

At the Mayflower theatre in Southampton Big Brother winner Nadia joins Paul Nicholas and Geoffrey Hughes in the ever-popular story of Peter Pan. Tickets start from £12.50 and are available by contacting the box office on 023 8071 1811.

The magical tale of the Snow Queen takes centre stage at the Nuffield Theatre in Southampton. Tickets start from £10.50 and can bought by contacting the box office on 023 8067 1771.

Former EastEnders star Dean Gaffney - minus Well Ard the dog - joins Syd Little in Aladdin at the Kings Theatre in Southsea. Tickets start from £7.50. Contact the box office on 023 9282 8282.

At the Theatre Royal in Winchester that classic favourite Puss in Boots is sure to be a hit with the kids. Tickets start from £12.50. Contact the box office on 01962 840440.

If you love Cinderella then you really are spoilt for choice with two performances of the classic fairytale to chose from: one at the Ferneham Hall in Fareham and the other at the Medina Theatre in Newport. Contact the Ferneham Hall on 01329 231942 and the Medina Theatre on 01983 527020 for more details.

Jack takes on that hungry giant again in Jack and the Beanstalk at the Anvil theatre in Basingstoke, the Playhouse in Salisbury and the Pavilion Theatre in Bournemouth. For tickets contact the Anvil on 01256 844244, the Playhouse on 01722 32033 and the Pavilion Theatre on 01202 456456.

The wonderful fairytale Beauty and the Beast has all those essential ingredients for a great pantomime and it's being performed at the Lighthouse in Poole. Contact 01202 685222 for more details.