ST Joseph's Players were a long-established amateur dramatic society way back in the 1920s when this cast lined-up for a photo shoot in connection with a Gilbert and Sullivan production.

This month the Leigh am-dram group kick-off the 2005 season with the pantomime Beauty and the Beast promising a night of entertainment that will leave the audiences shouting for more.

St Joseph's is one of the oldest amateur theatrical societies with an unbroken record of staging productions. The Chapel Street ensemble includes familiar and quite a few new faces in the panto which runs to January 29. Evening performances start at 7.15pm with Saturday matinees from 2pm.

Admission costs £5 adults and under 16s £3.50 with bargain priced tickets at two for £5 on the two opening nights.

Book your tickets at Boardman's Outfitters in Bradshawgate, Leigh.

After the panto it's straight back to work preparing for a March tribute to St Jo's late "leading lady" Dorothy Galvin, who was involved with the company as actor and producer for half-a-century.