Stars of Lowestoft's festive pantomime have waved a magic fundraising wand by collecting more than £4000 in donations for the EDP Norfolk and Lowestoft Flood Appeal.

The cast of Cinderella, led by Carry On and Coronation Street star and Fairy Godmother Amanda Barrie, and the staff at the Marina Theatre raised £ 4,085 for our appeal by collecting donations from packed audiences enjoying the family fun show, which finished on Saturday after a record breaking run.

Cast members decided to support the appeal for flood victims as the pantomime's chosen charity for the year after some of them saw at first hand how the tidal surge had battered Lowestoft.

The Ugly Sisters, played by Dean Horner and Oliver Gray, had to be evacuated from their temporary seaside home in the town.

A spokesman for the Marina Theatre said: 'We were absolutely amazed at the generosity of our audiences and are delighted that the money will be going to such a worthwhile cause.

'On behalf of all the pantomime cast and staff at the Marina Theatre we would like to thank our patrons for their kindness and hope that together with other donations the money raised will help those most affected across the area.'

As part of our high profile appeal, Waveney District Council has supported 28 applications, with 21 people in need of help sharing £19,100 between them and seven businesses receiving a total of £8,050.

The district council has also spent an estimated £132,000 on the floods clear up operation, with 78 tonnes of water damaged items and materials being collected and disposed off.

The council also provided three households and two single people with alternative accommodation or housing support.

Colin Law, the leader of Waveney District Council, said; 'One month on, the response and recovery continues. We are still supporting communities, providing them with advice and where necessary, financial support.

'Lowestoft is a great town with great resilient people getting their lives and livelihoods back in order. However it will take a long time for everything to be back to normal and we will continue to work around the clock to help those who need it.'