IF YOU'VE been waiting to get Christmas out of the way before paying your annual visit to the pantomime, here's our round-up of the best of the festive shows on offer in the south this year.

CINDERELLA

Where: The Mayflower, Southampton

Starring: Brian Conley from TV shows The Grimleys and The Brian Conley Show and West End musicals Jolson and Me and My Girl.

Running: Until January 26

Tickets: from £12

In a nutshell: A rags-to-riches tale of a downtrodden young woman, Cinderella, who is sent to a royal ball by her Fairy Godmother. Cinderella meets the handsome prince and the pair fall in love, but Cinderella has to flee the ball before midnight. In her haste she loses a shoe, which the prince uses to track her down. Expect lots of laughs from Conley, stunning sets and great special effects.

Trivia: The Cinderella story has spawned numerous film versions, the earliest movie version being released in 1898.

Box office: 023 8071 1811.

CINDERELLA

Where: Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth

Starring: Ruth Madoc from Hi-De-Hi!, Chris Jarvis from CBeebies, Nicholas Smith from Are You Being Served?, Amy Garcia from Freestyle, Maria Rice-Mundy from Sale of the Century.

Running: Until January 12

Tickets: from £11

In a nutshell: A traditional panto with plenty of familiar faces, this is a great show for all the family to enjoy

Trivia: Cinderella was written by Charles Perrault in the 17th century

Box office: 01202 456456

ALADDIN

Where: Ferneham Hall, Fareham

Starring: Alvin Stardust, Jeremy Spake from Airport, Spencer Kelly from Ocean FM, Paige Alcock from Neighbours.

Running: Until January 5

Tickets: from £7

In a nutshell: Wicked Abanazar wants to become the most powerful wizard in the world. Aladdin is a poor but honest boy who lives with his mother, Widow Twankey, and his brother, Wishee Washee. Abanazar needs the magic lamp and only Aladdin can get it for him. Will his evil plan succeed?

Trivia: Over 19,000 people saw last year's panto, Snow White, which smashed Ferneham Hall's box office record.

Box office: 01329 231942.

DICK WHITTINGTON

Where: Salisbury Playhouse

Starring: Rebecca Stokes - Salisbury Playhouse traditionally avoids star casts in its pantos.

Running: Until January 11

Tickets: from £9

In a nutshell: Dick goes to London to seek his fortune and goes on to become Lord Mayor of London. On the way he suffers several setbacks, many of them at the hands of the evil King Rat. All Salisbury Playhouse pantomimes have an original script and music.

Trivia: The real Dick Whittington supplied luxury fabrics to the royal court and lent the king money.

Box office: 01722 320333

LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD

Where: Theatre Royal, Winchester

Starring: Quality actors, but no big names

Running: Until January 5

Tickets: from £9

In a nutshell: Red and her sister Robin try to outwit a big bad wolf impersonating their grandmother - with a little help from the local woodcutter.

Trivia: Ian Liston, the producer of this show, has starred in two sci-fi cult classics - Doctor Who and Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back.

Box office: 01962 840440

DICK WHITTINGTON

Where: Kings Theatre, Southsea

Starring: Tony Adams from Crossroads, Leila Birch from EastEnders, Mark Rafferty from Neighbours and Maximum Bob from Power FM.

Running: Until January 12

Tickets: from £6.50

In a nutshell: Traditional panto romp packed with familiar faces

Trivia: Dick Whittington was the Mayor of London four times between 1397 and 1420.