SOME pantomime traditions are older than others, and for one Bexley school the annual panto stretches back more than 45 years.

Originally organised by parents who could not afford to take their children to professional London shows, the panto at Old Bexley Church of England Primary School in Hurst Road, Bexley Village is an established annual tradition.

This year’s production was Sleeping Beauty and although, unlike most previous years, there were no staff taking part, there were plenty of parents, ex-parents and even grandparents.

The whole panto was done in rhyme and many of the tasks such as lighting, sound effects and music were done by long-standing members of the pantomime team.

As in every past year the production, performed over several nights with two performances on Saturday, finished with the finale song The Show is Over Now.

All the cash raised, around £2,000 is channelled back into the school.