Choosing a carpet can be difficult, but imagine if you had to select one on the strength of its magic powers.

This is what happened to Hayley Birbeck who is playing the title role in this year's Epsom Playhouse family pantomime Aladdin And His Magical Lamp.

Hayley visited a shop in Epsom this week to test drive a new magic carpet and tried several carpets for size before picking the one she preferred.

"It's a difficult job choosing a magic carpet because you have to look for colour, size, durability and magical powers," said Hayley.

"I looked at and sat on every carpet in the shop before I was sure which was the right one.

"It is so important to get it right because there is a lot of magic in the show and I needed a carpet to transport both me and the magical lamp throughout the pantomim's run."

The exciting eastern extravaganza Aladdin and his Magical Lamp is set in old Peking and is a spectacular adventure with music and non-stop comedy.

The show features a fantastic young cast of talented artistes as well as Britain's premier panto dame Phil Haze as Widow Twankey and TV presenter Julian Addy, who makes an ideal Wishee Washee.

Comedians Chisholm and Gee guarantee the laughs and look forward to booing Robert Ashton as the evil Abanazar, cheering the beautiful Nicola Arber as Princess Lotus Flower and gasping at the acrobatics of Alex Jayne Robinson as the mystic Slave of the Ring.

To book your tickets for Aladdin And His Magical Lamp call the Epsom Playhouse box office on 01372 742555.