She has been a familiar face on our screens by appearing in a milk bath in a Carry on Film and playing one of Coronation Street's most loved residents.

And now Amanda Barrie will be under seasonal spotlight in Lowestoft when she appears in the pantomime Cinderella.

Known to millions for her role in Carry on Cleo and as Alma in Coronation, Amanda will be weaving her magic as the Fairy Godmother in the Marina Theatre's Cinderella, which will run from December 17 to January 4.

And ahead of her appearance in the town Amanda had this message for the residents of Lowestoft.

She said: 'Dear people of Lowestoft, I am so delighted to be coming to spend Christmas with you.

'Everybody tell me what a beautiful theatre you have and how lovely and friendly you all are.

'I hope to meet lots of you during the pantomime season.

'I am greatly looking forward to being Cinderella's Fairy Godmother and hope you will enjoy our wonderful show.'

In 1964 Amanda became a comedy icon after she appeared as the Queen of Egypt in Carry on Cleo, in which she famously bathed in milk as Sid James and Kenneth Williams tried to woo her.

Then in 1981 she made her first appearance in Coronation Street and went to win a legion of fans with her performances in her role as Alma, which saw her have a tempestuous relationship with Mike Baldwin and be kidnapped by Don Brennan, who drove her into a river in his car.

She left Coronation Street in 2001 after her character died from cancer.

Amanda has also starred in Carry On Cabbie, One of Our Dinosaurs is Missing and Bad Girls.

In Lowestoft she will be following in the footsteps of fellow Coronation Street actor Nigel Pivaro, who played Tery Duckworkth and starred as the villian Abanazer in the Marina's last pantomime Aladdin.

Martin Halliday, the chief executive of the Marina Theatre, said: 'We are thrilled that Amanda will star in our pantomime this year.

To have such an icon of stage and screen is a tremendous privilege and I am sure our audiences will be delighted with the news.'

Paul Holman, from the pantomime's producers Paul Holman Associates said: 'Amanda brings a perfect chemistry to the production in the role of Fairy Godmother, which she will play with a cocktail of compassion, care and quirkiness.

'She has a presence on stage where audiences of all ages are engaged and entertained and we all believe in her fairy magic.'

Tickets for Cinderella are available from the Marina Theatre's box office by calling 01502 533200 with discounts available for early bookings.