THE Bournemouth panto - Robin Hood and The Babes in the Wood - is being hailed one of the best in years, no doubt thanks to the team effort of a talented and dedicated cast.

But for the four superb boy dancers brought in from London's prestigious Arts Educational College to work alongside local girl dancers from Bournemouth's Stage Door School of Dance and Drama, this has taken a good deal of stoicism and sheer grit.

Carl Au has been fighting off a flu virus for much of the run, while Craig Dinnerwell was struck down with a sickness bug that threatened to take him out of the show.

But as Carl, Craig, Jonathan and Stevie have nobody to take their places they had to soldier on and do all 48 energy-packed performances.

As a result Craig had to run off stage between scenes last week and be sick in a slush bowl used in the show's slapstick scene.

Luckily that scene had already been done!

Craid said: "Doctor Theatre is a great tonic - you just have to get on with it because you have an expectant, paying audience. We've all had a fantastic time in Bournemouth."

Arts Educational has dancers in many pantomimes around the country. The college's head of dance, Chris Hocking, has directed the Bournemouth show, which ends this Sunday. Tickets are still available.