CHRISTMAS comes but once a year, but those daft panto dames and loveable pussies know how to make sure it lasts.

This latest return to London of thrice Lord Mayor-to-be Dick Whittington has a distinctly Merseyside flavour adding to the fun.

Once again, The Lowry has teamed up with Merseyside-based Pele Production to put the pop into panto – and they have succeeded. Added to that, there is the unmistakable style of Liverpool comedian John Bishop, taking time off from his stand-up routines and radio show.

Thinly disguised as rum-sinking Captain Cuttle, John is set free to roam the seven seas in the good ship Saucy Sal – and, if you believe that, you deserve to live in Pantoland.

John, more than most, knows that no panto in the North West would be worth its salt without at least a couple of “cross-M6” jibes. “Manchester’s German Market,” he laughs. “It’s a just a bloke from Warrington selling sausages!” Then, for any unsuspecting theatregoer: “This is Salford. When you leave the theatre, don’t believe everybody you meet in a tracksuit and carrying a bag is on the way home from the gym. Not if she is pushing a buggy,” he adds.

There is still enough innuendo to keep the adults on their toes. After all, Sarah the Cook is a bit of a man-eater and there is no doubting Alice does love her Mayor-to-be, Dick.

Yes, it is that time of year again, when dames are men and the rest of the men are, understandably, nervous – and with Jamie Greer as a wonderfully larger-than-life Sarah, they have every right to be so.

Darren Day grows superbly into the master of evil, King Rat, and Chesney Hawkes and Tara Wells are great fun as Dick and Alice, the love interest and, after a slow start, Frazer Hines warms to the roles of both the Alderman and the Sultan.

Add Nick Newbould and Stephanie Dooley as Idle Jack and Fairy Bowbells, along with Karen West as Tommy the Cat, and the usual kids in great costumes, and you have another of those hugely enjoyable visits to Pantoland.