Free meal offered.

NEWCASTLE Pantomime Company has joined forces with popular Nando's restaurant in Old Eldon Square to offer free meals to children attending this year's panto at The Journal Tyne Theatre.

Panto stalwarts and awardwinning comedians Brendan Healy and Maxie & Mitch have been entertaining audiences with the very best of traditional Christmas panto for as long as they can remember! This Christmas, the popular panto team will be joined on stage by former Emmerdale and Dr Who star Frazer Hines to unravel the story of Aladdin. As the cast took a break from a pre-rehearsal photo shoot in Old Eldon Square, they struck a deal with Nando's manager Norman Pinkerton, to ensure that any child aged 12 or under with a panto ticket to Aladdin can eat for free (when eating with a full paying adult) during the panto run (December 11 to January 9). Director Brendan Healy, who also stars as Aladdin's wicked Uncle Abanazar said: "This is absolutely delightful that Nando's Eldon Square has offered to treat children in our audiences to a free meal either before or after their panto visit! The panto cast all enjoyed a fabulous meal there, but as I was dressed in the character of wicked Uncle Abanazar, I was forced to sit on a table on my own. They will pay for this at panto rehearsals. Oh, yes they will!" ADVINTAGE'S Gosforth wine group's next meeting is on Tuesday next week, 8pm, upstairs bar, Northern Rugby Club, Great North Road.The theme is South American wines, price pounds 15 per person, at least six wines tasted.

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FREE FEED - The Pantomime Company outside Nando's