A PAGEANT queen and actress has been chosen to play the lead in this year’s Brindley panto.

Rebecca Lake, who won a modelling contract as Miss British Isles 2016, will star as Princess Aurora in Sleeping Beauty.

The 24-year-old played Cinderella last year.

It is her third year in a row appearing in Halton Council's panto.

Two years ago she was slave of the ring in Aladdin and has been an audience favourite ever since.

Rebecca has packed a lot into her short career.

She has sung with Lu Lu and the Bee Gees' Robin Gibb and performed with the English National Ballet as a lead dancer.

She started her training at the age of three at the Elizabeth Hill School of Dance.

At 16 Rebecca was given her first professional role as Cinderella in Bolton Albert Hall’s Christmas panto.

While studying musical theatre she was offered the chance to travel with the English National Ballet as a lead dancer to perform a production of Swanning Around at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

She also represented Great Britain at the World Expo in Shanghai.

In 2000 she sang lots of celebrity singers in aid of The Prince’s Trust.

She has performed in many pantos and shows and graduated with an honorary degree in musical theatre.

She is really looking forward to coming to Halton again.

Rebecca, from Haydock, said: "I am thrilled to be back near my home town so friends and family can see me perform.

“There was such a great atmosphere last year and the year before and we all got on so well, and I think that really shone through in the performances.

"Sleeping Beauty is such a great panto and Polka Dot has compiled a stellar cast and I can't wait to get started."

Sleeping Beauty runs from December 11 to January 14.

To book call the box office on 0151 907 8360 or visit thebrindley.org.uk.

There will be a British Sign Language performance on Friday, December 29, at 5pm and a relaxed performance on Sunday, January 7, at 1pm.