AS the curtain falls on summer and the nights continue to roll in it can mean only one thing – panto season is just around the corner.

Hereford's The Courtyard launched its 2015 pantomime, Beauty and the Beast, last Thursday.

Members of the cast visited sponsors Cargill on Thursday morning, and then returned for a special ‘stage signing’ at The Courtyard following the laying of a new stage. Cast members and staff were all invited to sign their name before the stage is painted and the signatures hidden.

Staff, patrons, press and invited guests were invited to the launch reception held on The Courtyard mezzanine with members of the cast Jason Marc-Williams (Dame Buffy Duster), Ben Astle (Beast) and Beth Dillon (Beauty).

They were joined by guests from pantomime sponsors Cargill and charity partners, RDA.

Ian Archer, chief executive at The Courtyard and producer of Beauty and the Beast, said: "It was fantastic to officially launch the 2015 pantomime, Beauty and the Beast, with guests, patrons, staff and our all-important cast members

"I can’t wait for everyone to see what we have in store this year, but we promise it will be bigger and beast-ier than last year."

Beauty and the Beast will be in the main house from Friday November 27 to Saturday January 9 2016.

To book tickets, or for more information contact the Box Office on 01432 340555 or visit courtyard.org.uk