Following on from last year's Mother Goose Stourbridge Pantomime Company returned with yet another top drawer production to help lift the January blues.

Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood is the company's 47th pantomime and it certainly hit the target with audiences young and old at a packed Stourbridge Town Hall.

There were plenty of familiar faces on stage with the dastardly Steve Coussens back in the villain role as The Sheriff of Nottingham and scaring the youngsters silly - boo hiss!

The ever chirpy Will Phipps took up his bow and arrow to star as Robin Hood and talented 18-year-old Lara Mitchell was delightful as Maid Marian who overhears the Sheriff's sinister plot to kill the babes. The two performed a note perfect duet - one of the show's highlights - which gave our sides time to recover from laughing so much at the madcap antics of some of the rest of the cast.

Steve Taylor had them rolling in the aisles as Friar Tuck attempting to dance whilst wearing a fat suit - no easy feat - while Dave Jones was back donning a frock and heels in the panto dame role he does so well, this time as Nurse Norah who arrives with the babes in tow.

Jonathan Hunt was among the fresh faces at the front of the stage this year as Little John. A member of the company for 11 years this was his first principal role and he thoroughly entertained the audiences as one of Robin's merry men while James Totney provided a perfect bit of pantomime camp as another member of the merry band, Will Scarlet, this year on stage alongside his mother and sister who are in the chorus.

Janet and John (The Babes) were played by Sami Brasenell and George Pilliner. The pair really stepped into the spotlight with apparent ease and seemed to really enjoy their time on stage - we look forward to seeing them in action again soon.

There were dazzling costumes, lavish sets and even pyrotechnics - showing the real effort and dedication that goes into putting on these productions behind the scenes for the people of Stourbridge. Bravo to all involved.

Roll on next year's show...Jack and The Beanstalk.