Audiences are in for a giant-sized serving of fun when Ledbury Amateur Dramatic Society stages its next production.

The group's seasonal offering is the pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk, based on the ever popular fairytale about a young boy who trades the family cow for a handful of magic beans.

The family show - a first for LADS - is set to attract people from as far as Birmingham and the Black Country.

However, the one character that audiences will never see on stage is the big scary giant, who so enjoys eating Englishmen.

LADS spokesman Adrian Durkin said: "There will be no giant as such, just the shadow of a giant and a big booming voice. But it won't be too frightening, even for the youngsters!"

There will also be plenty of laughs, with the company's usual stalwarts out in force, including Andrew Hill as Simple Simon and Dave Taylor taking his first bow in a big frock as Dame Dotty Dibble.

Paul Graham, who has played the pantomime dame for many years, was away in New Zealand when the show was cast. As a result, he has had to settle for playing the back end of the cow, a role for which he is sure to have been practising some rather nifty moves.

Special effects and an inspiring set are certain to be in evidence.

When brave Jack, played by Scarlet Clay, has to climb the beanstalk into Cloudland, she will manage it with the help of a stout rope, cunningly disguised with leaves.

The pantomime opens at the Market Theatre on Wednesday, January 17, and will run until Saturday, January 27.

There will be a matinee on both Saturdays and on Sunday, January 21. Tickets for the Saturday matinees have already sold out.

Mr Durkin said: "Tickets are selling quite well and, in return, we offer people an even better pantomime than usual, with good foot-tapping numbers.

"This is one of the biggest pantomimes we've done, it's absolutely huge, with a cast of 20 and 30 local youngsters in the chorus. We'll need a bigger stage!"

Tickets are available now from the Ledbury Tourist Information Centre in the Homend.