A PINT of lager and a pantomime please! That's the last orders cry at The Bent Brief in Southampton.

This friendly local pub is the setting for a home-written, adults-only amateur panto with all proceeds going to The Macmillan Trust and the Wessex Cancer Trust.

Julie Campbell from Portswood wrote and directs the show, which is an adaptation of The Alchemist - a story of con artists and trickery.

Julie, a lecturer at Southampton University in English literature and drama, says: "We manage to squeeze about 60 people into the pub each night and the informal atmosphere makes for a really fun night. Even the landlord Andy Wade gets a line to say in between pulling pints for the audience!"

Unlike most am-dram groups, The Forty Pound Theatre Company does not have a problem finding male actors.

Julie adds: "Students from Southampton University take part and because we also advertise in local pubs in Portswood and St Denys, we tend to attract the main frequenters - men!"

Despite this factor, this year's pantomime dame is played by a woman. Catherine Wild from Portswood brings a touch of Birds of a Feather to the lead, Dol Common.

Raising money for two cancer charities is particularly poignant for Catherine, 30, a support worker for people with learning disabilities. She is undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer.

The brave young woman, who faces a mastectomy in the near future, says: "I signed up for the panto last year when I saw a notice in my local pub. I was a little under the influence! It was a great move as I have made some wonderful friends who have helped me through a very difficult year in my life."

Last year, the group's adaptation of Dr Faustus raised £1,000.

The Bent Brief, Lodge Road, Southampton. Tuesday, December 15 to Saturday, December 18. Performances: 7.30pm. Tickets £3.50 can be purchased at the pub.