Actors young and old in Machynlleth are preparing to tread the boards and take part in the town’s annual pantomime production.

Mach Panto is a long-standing tradition and has been very well supported since the first panto, Dick Whittington, back in 1979.

This year’s production of Pirates of the Can of Beans is written and directed by one of the New Dyfi Players’ newest members, Sally Peace, and includes lots of new cast members.

Pirates of the Can of Beans follows young gentleman Jack Jones, whose mother died and he was then deserted by his father, as he embarks on a dangerous adventure to find his dad.

Aided by two enterprising bar owners, he sets out from old London Town for an adventure on the High Seas to an island rumoured to be rich in treasure.

Performances will take place in late February at Ysgol Bro Hyddgen and everyone involved with the production is encouraging the local community to support the show.

Julieann Evans, from the New Dyfi Players, said: “This is our 39th production, with members new and old from the Dyfi Valley, a lively children’s chorus and passionate adult members.

“We rely heavily on ticket sales to help pay for rehearsal and performance venue rent, costumes and to start the new production the following year.”