Bosses at the Playhouse Theatre in Weston-super-Mare say the credit crunch has affected sales for this year's pantomime.

Peter Pan started its twice-daily performances at the High Street theatre on December 16 and the show will run until January 11, 2009.

Last year's performances of Jack and the Beanstalk saw around 21,000 people pass through the doors but this year's numbers are around five per cent down.

Weston-super-Mare Playhouse manager Peter Undery said: "We expect to sell 68 to 70 per cent of tickets.

"However, we usually rank in the top three of seaside resort theatres for best performing pantomimes."

The show has been produced by Paul Holman Associates which has produced the previous eight pantomimes at The Playhouse, all box office smashes.

Mr Undery said: "The credit crunch is having an affect on most theatres.

"Many we have spoken to are reporting a downturn in ticket sales.

"We are having bookings and all shows are doing okay, some better than others, but the attendance numbers are not going to be as good as last year.

"I would say we are about five per cent down on last year's sales.

"However, saying that we should still smash box office records because ticket prices have risen this year.

"I do think this is one of the best pantomimes we have done in years. It paces along nicely and whichever show you go to there is a great atmosphere.

"The kids are absolutely loving it and the other day I saw a boy who came with his school back with his family. His dad told me his son had not stopped going on about the pantomime all day so they had come to buy a family ticket."

Children's TV presenter Timmy Mallett is playing Smee, fresh from his stint in the Australian jungle for ITV's I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here.

Comedy actor David Griffin, best known to millions for his roles in TV series Hi-de-Hi and Keeping Up Appearances also joins Timmy. He is playing the role of Captain Hook and is no stranger to pantomime having also starred in several productions playing King Rat in Dick Whittington and also Captain Hook for Paul Holman Associates in Redditch.

For further details, call the box office on 01934 645544 or click here.