THE stars of one of this season's Hampshire pantos left the stage for the day to tread the boards of some real-life locations where their characters would feel right at home.

A new musical version of the classic fairytale Sleeping Beauty is coming to the Theatre Royal in Winchester from December 11 to January 4.

Princess Briar Rose (Emma Corelle) and Prince Harry (Kieran Buckeridge) launched the show at a selection of Hampshire castles that received their royal seal of approval.

Venues included Porchester Castle, Bishop's Waltham Palace and Bishop's Palace in Winchester.

Sleeping Beauty.....The Whole Story! tells the full unexpurgated tale after the princess is kissed awake from her great sleep - in the 1950s.

Organisers promise fabulous sets, gorgeous costumes and a fun-packed show that is guaranteed to dazzle the whole family.

The show has been created by Kate Edgar and Colin Wakefield, who brought last year's popular Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf productions to the Winchester stage.