The stars of a new pantomime say Weymouth is 'a special place', and the perfect town to host the show's curtain-raiser.

Beauty and the Beast kicks off its nationwide run with a double show at Weymouth Pavilion on Saturday, March 24, starring Tracey Beaker actress Dani Harmer and panto legend Bobby Davro, who said he was 'a bit tearful' to be back in the town - and not just because of the icy winds whipping around the venue.

"Weymouth is a really special place for me," Bobby said, reminiscing of the first time he had come to the resort, 21 years ago, with his daughter Brittany. "She's grown up now, but she was just a toddler back then," he said. "We played in the sand and ate ice-cream.

"It's great to come back here. It's the perfect place for us to open - it's a proper old-school British resort."

The new pantomime, which is a re-written version of a show that toured three years ago, is 'great fun' , he said, and includes a whole raft of new material. This includes a high-tempo number in which Bobby reels off a list of countries to the tune of Offenbach's Internal Galop - better known as the Can-Can.

Other highlights for the audience to look forward to are a fresh version of Bobby's tried-and-tested 'winky wonky donkey' sketch, as well as whole-cast musical routines involving classic dance the Twist.

Bobby extolled the enduring popularity of pantomime. "What other form of entertainment can you go to with mum, dad, kids and gran?" he asked. "I'm an adult entertainer really, but with pantomime you can entertain the whole family.

"We've got a great cast - we're all really looking forward to it."

He and Dani agreed on the success of the pair's relationship, having worked together on some ten shows.

And Dani was equally pleased to be back in Weymouth, this time accompanied by partner Simon Brough - whose family is from the area - and two-year-old daughter Averie-Belle. "I've been here loads of times before - we love it here," she said.

"The Pavilion is one of my fave venues, because we nearly always start our runs here," she revealed, adding that the town looked at its best when the sun was shining.

She said that audiences shouldn't expect a classic Beauty and the Beast tale. "It's not quite the Disney show," she said, noting that there were enough plot twists, musical numbers and jokes to keep everyone entertained. "We've got a great cast, and we've got some great songs," she said.

"It's a really good giggle."

Beauty and the Beast will run twice on Saturday, at 2 pm and again at 6 pm, before moving on to Hampshire the following day.

For information or to book tickets, contact the Pavilion on 01305 783225.