A HARTFORD schoolgirl is preparing to tread the boards in panto this year.

Rehearsals have started for Aladdin, this year’s Christmas pantomime at Crewe’s Lyceum Theatre, and 10-year-old Abbie Blake will be taking pride of place in the chorus.

Abbie, who goes to Hartford Manor Primary School, will be performing with TV stars from Waterloo Road and Genie in the House.

The youngster is no stranger to performance – she has worked with the English Youth Ballet in its production of Giselle and won the Top Junior Award for her performance in The Nutcracker.

She has also taken part in previous pantomimes at the Lyceum Theatre, including last year’s Sleeping Beauty and Jack and the Beanstalk in 2008.

Her proud mum Andrea said: “It’s a lot of fun and the children chosen to take part learn so much from the professional actors, sharing their experience from acting or theatre courses to appearing as television personalities and at major UK theatres.”

Abbie attends Sandra Garrett’s School of Dance, Zoe Buckley’s Love to Dance group and Heather Baker’s Singing Studios.

Andrea said: “Abbie would love to have a career in theatre where she can sing and dance to her heart’s content. She loves the stage and loves to entertain.”