A FUN-loving panto Prince has made surprise visits to four local schools.

Luke Roberts, who plays Prince Frederick in this year’s Anvil pantomime, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, dropped in at Old Basing Infant School, St John’s C of E Primary School, Kempshott Infant School, and Tadley Community Primary School, and played a game with the children at each stop.

The star of CITV’s Hi-5 asked for volunteers from each school helped to help wrap up one of their teachers – although rather than fancy wrapping paper and festive bows, Luke only had toilet paper with him!

After speaking to Key Stage One children at Tadley about the panto, he and Miss Kirsty Grant, and several of the children, helped to cover fellow teacher Miss Sabrina Courtney in toilet roll.

Andrea Bath, press officer at The Anvil, said: “It was great fun to take Luke out to the schools. The children loved the game but also learned a little bit about pantomime and its traditions such as the dame being played by a man and when to shout out ‘Oh no he isn’t!’

“Sometimes the schools are unable to bring their children to the theatre and so if we can take the stars of our shows to them then that works well. Luke was able to give them a taste of the fun and audience participation that they would get at the panto.”

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which is sponsored by Gazette Newspapers, runs at The Anvil from December 13 to January 6. Find out more from 01256 844244.