The man behind this year's Diss pantomime dame, Sarah the Cook, has spoken of what he loves about the town.

James Austin Harvey, 44, from London, said: 'It's a lovely little town, it's quite pretty. I'm staying just down the road from the hall. I love that I can just walk into the countryside and we've found a nice pub. It's a lovely way to spend Christmas when you're away from your actual family it's nice to be with your pantomime family, bring a bit of joy.

'I've ugly sister-ed but this is my first dame. I'm becoming nicer, I normally play baddies. It's my first time with this company but I've been doing pantomime for very many years, I have done about 12 or 13 pantos altogether.

'Now I'm looking forward to getting the audience in... flirting with the men.'