A special pop-up Panto is to be staged today as street theatre by the cast of this year’s Sands Centre show, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

The whole cast will be appearing to perform songs and entertain shoppers in Carlisle city centre.

Collabro star Matt Pagan, who plays the Prince will lead the performers in a special opportunity to meet the cast ahead of the region’s biggest Christmas show.

Matt is delighted to be the start of his home-town show and said: “I did this show last year in Ipswich. I only ever do Snow White.

"I have no idea what goes on in other shows. This is all I’ve ever done in panto. Put me in Cinderella and I’ll go ‘what happens in this story?’

“The script changes depending on where you are. I put a few cheeky extra lines in sometimes."

The mini spectacular will be staged in The Lanes shopping centre, close to Debenhams and visitors will be able to chat with the stars and get a selfie with them.

There is also an opportunity to win family tickets throughout the evening.

The Box Office will be open in The Lanes with the opportunity to purchase panto and other event tickets.

There will be a meet and greet with the cast at 5pm before performances start at 6pm.

Appearing alongside Matt in the show is Ex-Hollyoaks star Sarah George as Snow White, with Stevi Ritchie, who has appeared in X-Factor and Celebrity Big Brother, as the Henchman.

CFM Radio’s Robbie Dee is taking part in his 17th successive panto at The Sands Centre and is playing Dame Dotty, while Dean Winters is Muddles.

And international movie star Jimmy Vee, who has played R2D2 in Star Wars, appears as the leader of the Seven Dwarfs.

The panto runs from December 11-31. For tickets, go to www.thesandscentre.co.uk or call 01228 633766.

n See Saturday's paper for a big preview of the show and interviews with the stars.