MANAGEMENT at Lowestoft's Marina Theatre say its annual pantomime has broken all box office records again this year.The production of Cinderella, which starred former Neighbours and Emmerdale actress Anne Charleston as the Fairy Godmother and family entertainer Dave BensonPhillips as Buttons, ended on Sunday after a record-breaking 41-performance run.

MANAGEMENT at Lowestoft's Marina Theatre say its annual pantomime has broken all box office records again this year.

The production of Cinderella, which starred former Neighbours and Emmerdale actress Anne Charleston as the Fairy Godmother and family entertainer Dave Benson

Phillips as Buttons, ended on Sunday after a record-breaking 41-performance run.

Full-scale professional panto returned to Lowestoft after an absence of nearly half a century last year with Peter Pan, and with such a major production the theatre was able to increase the number of performances, offer school and family tickets and improve the venue's viability.

Waveney district councillor Stephen Ardley, who oversees the Marina, said: 'I am absolutely delighted that once again the Marina pantomime has proved such an enormous success.

'The production had a hugely talented cast and was a great deal of fun.

'I would like to thank theatre manager Martin Halliday, house manager Jacqui Dale, technical manager Lester Sayer and all the cast, crew and theatre staff for their hard work and dedication in presenting such a major event in Lowestoft.'

A theatre spokesman added: 'With the country deep in recession, it was important for us to keep ticket prices as low as possible this year as well as offering family tickets and special rates for schools and groups. The production was of an extremely high standard with a great cast, and we are pleased that it has proved so popular.

'The pantomime is the cornerstone of our audience development initiative and will certainly be a hard act to follow. We would like to thank the people of Lowestoft and surrounding areas for their support'.