Hopes are rising that Windsor might get its annual Christmas pantomime this year.

The town's Theatre Royal has already sprung to life this week as Sir Ian McKellen rehearses a new 'age blind' production of Hamlet there - with hopes that the actual production will be performed some time in the future.

Rehearsals are being carefully socially distanced.

But this week the theatre's co-directors Jon and Anne-Marie Woodley raised hopes that the annual pantomime might also happen.

In a joint statement they said: "We are very much looking forward to our annual traditional pantomime ‘Cinderella’ and this year is set to be our best yet.

"Of course, at all times the safety of our audiences, performers and staff is paramount and we await the government providing suitable guidance on when and how theatres can safely reopen."