It's been a long time since Porthleven has hosted a pantomime, oh yes it has.

Just like all good fairy tales, however, there is a happy ending to this sad story thanks to the young members of The DSBeenies youth theatre group saving the day.

They performed Snow White and the Seven Cornish Pixies to rave reviews last week at Porthleven Public Hall, which was full on all three nights and totally sold out for the last night.

The adaptation by Ben Crocker was reworked, with his permission, by Mandy Auguste to feature a Cornish twist to the classic tale, with the choreography, set design and construction, stage direction and props all created by the young cast members themselves.

Snow White was performed by Ellie, with Thomas M, Piran, Ollie, Jodie, Millie, Phoebe and Poppy the seven Cornish Pixies, Bethany as Fairy Goodheart, Ella as Wonderwings and Jessica as Queen Caligula, with a range of children in other supporting roles.

The DSBeenies is the youth division of the Don't Stop Believing Entertainment Group founded by Claire-Louise Auguste in 2011.

Led by Father Peter Fellows and Mandy Auguste, the youth branch came together to help children aged five to 18 years perform and grow in confidence, whatever their ability, and has since evolved into a charity in its own right, raising more than £15,000 for local and national charities.

Claire-Louise told the Packet after the show: "I'm tremendously proud of everybody that takes in anything we do with the Beenies. I never imagined it would develop into something like it has, since the formation in 2011.

"I'm delighted to be able to provide the opportunity for them all to be able to perform and to grow in confidence, which was very evident from the shows.

"It's just heartwarming that we're able to support others by doing what we love to do."

All profits from the pantomime are going to local charities. Such was its success that the group is planning to return again for a new pantomime next Christmas.

Members meet in Lanner every Saturday and anyone wanting to join, with no need for an audition, can email clauguste@live.co.uk.

The pantomime in Porthleven is something of a full circle for the family, with Vic and Monica Strike, parents of Claire-Louise's mum Mandy, staging productions in the Public Hall as teenagers.

It has been a busy festive season for the Beenies, who have also been touring nursing homes providing 45-minute shows for residents and staff.