NOT every village pantomime enlists the help of local celebrities to help put on its Christmas performance every year.

But not every pantomime is written, directed and performed by the Cumnor Players, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.

Nestled between Captain Hook's gothic pirate coat and the equipment to endow the dame of the show are two of the group's founding members, Ally Baker and Amanda Gaydon, in Ms Baker's workshop.

Ms Baker, who is the mastermind behind the show's wardrobe, said: "I think we are really lucky that we have a community that has so many wonderful skills and talent.

"We all do this in our spare time and I think it has been something that really brings us altogether.

"It is almost like a little escape for us all from what we do day to day."

Every costume from every performance is still stored in Ms Baker's Cumnor Hill home.

From their first performance of 'Cinderella' in 2007 to this year's 'Robin and the Hoods', a Mafia inspired twist on the original tale, the company has grown in size.

Ms Gaydon added: "I think my favourite will always be Cinderella. I remember I played Prince Charming and my voice was so wobbly on the first night because I was so terrified.

"I'm very much the enthusiasm in the group and I remember when Jacqui Lewis first floated the idea about setting up a theatre group and I just said yes straight away.

"We are all able to get involved and this year we had so many people audition, which was fantastic."

Previously Phillip Pullman has lent his creative talent to pen the poem for the fairy godmother in Cinderella and when chef, Sophie Grigson, lived in the village she would tread the boards as the 'cook' in the performance.

Ms Gaydon added: "Every year we do invite Phillip but we never know if he comes to see the performance.

"It's always a bit of a mystery and everyone at the end always goes 'did you see him?' 'did he come?'

"It really is a wonderful experience for all of the people in the village, my girls have had a go and they loved it."

In 2012 and 2013 the group also performed in front of thousands of people at Camp Bestival in Dorset.

Ms Gaydon added: “It was just such a phenomenal experience and I do not think many local groups can say they performed at Lulworth Castle in front of thousands.”

Performance for this year's show will start this Wednesday and run for four nights until Saturday at Cumnor Village Hall.

Tickets can be purchased from Cumnor Newsagent. Tickets are £9 for adults and £5 for children.