EAGER pantomime lovers sold out several performances as they snapped up two-for-one tickets.

Around 800 people braved the weather from 7.10am onwards to form a queue down Piccadilly in Hanley yesterday.

Many others booked their bargain tickets for Dick Whittington at The Regent theatre on the telephone.

Theatre officials now expect the promotion, run each year in conjunction with The Sentinel, to be the best one yet.

Chris McGuigan, head of marketing and sales, said: "We are very pleased with how the promotion went on the first day and it is possibly a sign of the times that everyone is looking for a bargain.

"It runs until the end of the week, but it's looking like this is going to be the biggest one yet."

Dick Whittington takes to The Regent's stage from December 10 featuring family favourite Jonathan Wilkes, model and singer Amy Diamond, Three Degrees leading lady Sheila Ferguson and Stoke's Top Talent winner Su Annagib.

To take advantage of the offer, people had to collect three of the tokens printed in The Sentinel last week.

The promotion covered 20 of the 55 performances of the pantomime and tickets were up for grabs from 10am.

Beryl Ward spent more than an hour and a half queuing for tickets for herself, her two great-grandchildren and a friend.

The 71-year-old, who is retired and lives in Shannon Court, Goldenhill, said: "I wasn't expecting so many people to be here, but I think it will be worth it."

Her friend Freda Preston, aged 70, of Shannon Drive, Goldenhill, added: "I come for the kids. There is a great atmosphere for them and they always have a good time."

Nicola Boon's children are already looking forward to the pantomime after receiving their tickets.

The mother-of-three, from Medway Place, Clayton, said: "The kids always enjoy a pantomime. I would have taken them to one despite the ticket offer, but it may have been Stafford instead."

Lynda Hampson had already decided to go to the pantomime, but said the ticket offer was a bonus.

The 47-year-old, of Forest Road, Meir, who bought tickets for herself, her mother and her two sons, said: "The promotion came after we decided to go to the panto but I'm glad it did."

And the promotion also encouraged 17-year-old Katy Mawdsley to venture to a pantomime for the first time.

The City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College student, from Alsagers Bank, said: "It will be a new experience for me. I'm looking forward to seeing all the stars."

Anyone who has not yet exchanged their tokens has until 6pm on Saturday to do so in person at The Regent's box office, or until 10pm on Monday to do it over the phone.

The panto runs from December 10 until January 10. Tickets start at £14 and are available by calling 0844 871 7627.