The leading lady of a village pantomime has taken to the stage despite picking up a throat infection on the eve of the show.

Kennington Amateur Dramatic Society's production of Red Riding Hood Meets Robin Hood was thrown into chaos earlier this week when the star of the show, Marie Haddaway, fell ill during final rehearsals.

Until yesterday afternoon, it looked as though Miss Haddaway, 24, would not be able to perform because she had completely lost her voice.

But after taking medication and resting in bed she managed to make it to the stage last night.

Her boyfriend, James Mansfield, who plays the Sheriff of Nottingham in the show, said: "We've dosed her up on drugs and she's been in bed all day so she is going to make it and we hope she will be fine for the rest of the performances."

The panto at the village centre is to be performed again tonight, twice tomorrow, with four more shows next week.

Mr Mansfield said: "We just all hope she can make it for the whole run."