FUNNY, friendly and full of heart - the annual traditional family pantomime at Guildford's Yvonne Arnaud Theatre returns this year with a well-loved story and a Hollywood legend.

Aladdin runs from December 10 until January 9 and welcomes Britt Ekland, with strong support from a trio of favourites from last year's nationally-acclaimed Dick Whittington - Sylvester McCoy, Paul Hendy and Royce Mills.

Directed by Gerry Tebbutt, and with the title role taken by triple Olivier Award nominee Issy Van Randwyck, the Yvonne Arnaud panto promises once again to live up to its oft-repeated billing of "traditional panto at its very best".

Genie of the Lamp Britt Ekland hit the limelight with a stunning performance in the film The Night They Raided Minsky's, and later became the epitome of a Bond girl, starring as Mary Goodnight in The Man with the Golden Gun.

Sylvester McCoy, who plays Abanazar, is one of the most versatile actors, having performed regularly in the West End in both Shakespeare and broad comedy.

His fascinating life has included being rejected as a monk and serving a stint as Mick Jagger's bodyguard!

Aladdin is played by Issy van Randwyck, a singer and former member of Fascinating Aida.

She has toured with Larry Adler and has been nominated for Olivier Awards three times, twice as a member of Fascinating Aida and once for her role in Kiss Me Kate at the Regents' Park Open Air Theatre.

Widow Twankey is played by Royce Mills, who returns for the third year running after maintaining his reputation as one of the country's best, and most lovable, Dames.

Royce is a familiar face from roles as diverse as Arthur Daley's accountant to a love-lorn poet in Up Pompeii, plus the voice of the Daleks in Doctor Who.

Tickets are available from the Yvonne Arnaud box office on 01483 440000.