SCHOOL pupils got an extra special taste of the pantomime when they came face-to-face with the stars of the show.

Youngsters from Whitley Infant and Nursery School were given the festive treat at the launch of the Take the Kids to the Theatre charity.

The charity, a collaboration between the Proper Pantomime Company and Reading Arts and Venues, raises funds to help schools pay the cost of transporting children to the theatre.

It was created after the Proper Pantomime Company’s Chris Lillicrap, who plays the Dame in this year’s show, discovered schools could afford theatre tickets but struggled with the cost of getting children to the show.

He said: “I was told the big problem was actually the cost of transport.

“So we set about raising the funds to help schools get to the theatre.”

The launch saw children meet the pantomime members, including star Toyah Willcox.

Getreading.co.uk was there to talk to Chris Lillicrap. Watch the footage here.