The Hazlitt Theatre may be riding to the rescue of those with tickets to a rival show.

All performances of the Maidstone Panto production of Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs at The Friars in Aylesford were cancelled this morning, leaving hundreds of disappointed ticket-holders.

But Martin Cleverley, general manager at the Hazlitt Theatre in Maidstone said: "Having heard this morning that the production of Snow White local to Maidstone has closed, our first thoughts are for those customers who have purchased tickets for the performances that won't take place, and for the actors, of whom some were local professionals and of course the many children that complete the cast who volunteer their time at this special time of year.

"The Hazlitt Theatre has decided that they will try to stage another performance of our production of Aladdin this season in order to appease some of those bitterly disappointed customers and to ensure they still get their pantomime experience.

"Please look out for details."

Mr Cleverly said: "Pantomime is the foundation that many theatres' financial stability is built on and The Hazlitt Theatre is no stranger to the importance of this single annual production.

"It is also a celebratory production that bring many families to their local theatre for their only visit of the year.

Click here for the full panto guide for 2018

"We have found it extremely difficult over the last two years to secure that financial stability due to such local competition, but we have worked hard and discovered so much support from our customers, local partners, businesses, schools, Maidstone Borough Council, the town's dance schools and amateur dramatic companies that a simple thank you seems not enough gratitude, but we thank them nonetheless."

He went on to say that Parkwood Leisure, which manages the Hazlitt on behalf of Maidstone Borough Council, was only too aware that the capacity of the county town's theatre could be bigger.

But he said: "What we have with the current venue is a very traditional theatre currently offering a third of its programme time over to local community groups, a thriving youth theatre, an ever growing choir and a diverse programme of events to offer all of the people of Maidstone something they want to see.

"We will continue to improve and learn from feedback going forward and we will of course be offering yet another fantastic pantomime in 2019 when we produce Beauty and the Beast."

A group of 62 adults with learning difficulties were among those let down by the cancellation. However, Leeds Castle has come to their rescue.