ONE of the North-East’s oldest law firms is helping to bring pantomime fun to the region for the second year running.

BHP Law is sponsoring Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at Darlington Hippodrome, having supported The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan last year.

This year’s panto has Pop Idol’s Gareth Gates as the handsome Prince, and Jenny Ryan, from The Chase, as The Wicked Queen. The hilarious Josh Benson is Muddles, while Snow White is played by Marina Lawrence-Mahrra, whose TV credits include playing Dirah in Game of Thrones.

Gareth said: “It’s fantastic to have such a well-known and long-established local company like BHP Law helping to support the arts on its home patch – oh yes it is!”

BHP Law Managing Partner John Pratt said: “We are proud of our very deep roots in Darlington, with a history dating all the way back to 1835, so we’re thrilled to be sponsoring the town’s pantomime again.

“It’s the second consecutive year we’ve supported the Darlington pantomime so, for the duration of the show, we’ve decided the BHP in our name will stand for Backing Hippodrome Panto!”

Senior Partner Peter Blackett, who is known for being neither Grumpy or Bashful, added: “We’re very pleased that this year’s panto is Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs because we work really hard to keep our customers Happy!”

The photo-call for the show was held at Redworth Hall Hotel, and attended by BHP Law employees celebrating special recent achievements: Jemma Ebdon, Sam Ross, Yasir Hussain, and Ellie Phillips.

Jemma was recently made a partner; Sam is a personal assistant, celebrating 25 years with the firm; Yasir has just signed a training contract; and Ellie is a solicitor apprentice, who has been the driving force behind a BHP Law work experience programme.

• Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs opens on Friday, December 8, and runs through to New Year’s Eve.