Flood victims in Lowestoft and Norfolk are to be given a boost thanks to of one of the region's most popular festive productions.

The cast of Cinderella at the Marina Theatre in Lowestoft have thrown their support behind the EDP Norfolk and Lowestoft Flood Appeal.

Starring Coronation Street and Carry On star Amanda Barrie as the Fairy Godmother and ugly sisters Lav and Lou, the pantomime will support our high profile appeal as the colourful cast will help collect donations from audiences.

It is hoped that thousands of pounds will be collected for the people whose homes were damaged or destroyed by the tidal surge.

And as Amanda and Lav and Lou helped to launch the theatre's pantomime donation scheme, it was revealed that the ugly sisters and other cast members are only too well aware of the tidal surge's devastating impact.

During the surge, Lav and Lou, played by Dean Horner and Oliver Gray, and other cast members had to be evacuated from their temporary homes in Lowestoft they were staying in for rehearsals.

Oliver said: 'We were evacuated on Thursday night and on our return much of the apartment block we were staying in was flooded, the family in the basement flat have lost everything, our apartment lost power for a few days.

'But our own experience pales into insignificance when you see the devastation caused to families and businesses in the area.'

Dean said: 'We were out and about in the town on Thursday night and Friday morning, we realised we could not do a huge amount ourselves therefore our alter egos, Lav and Lou, visited a few badly effected businesses in the hope of raising morale.'

After their ordeal the cast along with the theatre's management decided something needed to be done to help those affected by the floods.

They decided to choose the EDP Norfolk and Lowestoft Flood Appeal as the pantomime's chosen charity for the year.

Amanda said: 'My heart goes out to everyone that has suffered through the recent flooding, I wish I could wave my Fairy Godmother's wand could make everything OK, but that's make believe.

'What these people are experiencing is incredibly real and as a company we are determined to assist where we can.'

In an added boost to flood victims the producers of the pantomime are also donating some tickets for the family show to them.

Oliver said: 'We appreciate that a trip to the pantomime won't change what's happened but if it takes a family's mind off the situation, even for a couple of hours it would at least be something.'

A spokesperson for the Marina Theatre said: 'The Marina Theatre was not affected by the flooding but many of our cast members, staff and suppliers were.

'Lowestoft is a close knit community in which so many families have been affected and the loss to some local businesses could be catastrophic. 'We are therefore delighted to join the cast of Cinderella in supporting the EDP Norfolk and Lowestoft Flood Appeal and are certain our forthcoming pantomime audiences will be very happy to assist too.'

Cinderella runs from December 17 until January 4. For ticket information call 01502 533200 or visit www.marinatheatre.co.uk

WAYS TO DONATE:

? Transfer money online to THE EDP NORFOLK AND LOWESTOFT FLOOD APPEAL - Handelsbanken account number: 32314046 Sort code: 40-51-62

? Through paypal here

? Drop a cheque made payable to the Norfolk Community Foundation, into their offices at St James Mill, Whitefriars, in Norwich

? Via the EDP head office, at Prospect House, Norwich – or any branch office – or Handelsbanken on Prince of Wales Road with cash or cheques made payable to EDP Norfolk and Lowestoft Flood Appeal

? By visiting the offices of North Norfolk District Council in Cromer. If you do this, cheques should be made payable to NNDC