THIS year’s pantomime at Clacton’s Princes Theatre has broken box office records.

It is the the third year in a row that the panto at the Station Road theatre has exceeded the previous year’s ticket sales.

Peter Pan starred X Factor finalist Marcus Collins as the hero of Neverland.

It is the third time box office takings have risen for the pantomime, and the fifth time audience numbers have broken the 12,000 mark, with the panto pulling in 12,143 customers in 2013.

This run saw 12,636 people attend the panto, compared to 5,618 in 2009 when professional pantos were first introduced.

Polka Dot Pantomimes has produced the last eight shows in association with Tendring Council.

Mick Skeels, councillor responsible for leisure and tourism, said: “I thoroughly enjoyed Peter Pan, it was a fantastic show, and it is no surprise to me that it has been our most successful pantomime yet.”

An Easter pantomime is once again being staged at the Princes Theatre.

Former Atomic Kitten singer Kerry Katona stars in Beauty and the Beast at the venue, with two performances on Sunday, April 14.

Book your tickets at princestheatre.co.uk or by calling 01255 686633.