CHRISTMAS spirit reigned supreme at a Darlington school as staff brought termtime to an end with a hilarious pantomime to remember.

Staff at Darlington School of Mathematics and Science took to the stage in an end of term surprise for their 500 students.

Dressed in full costumes and make-up they performed Cinderella and the Frog Princess - a zany production penned by headteacher Calvin Kipling.

The chaotic tale brought virtually every character who has ever graced the stage in a Christmas pantomime together, with Mr Kipling playing one of three blind tongue-tied mice.

Assistant headteacher, Steve Parr, joined him as an ugly sister and assistant headteacher, Dave Tucker, played the Hairy Godfather.

“We demand a lot from our students throughout the year and they really come through for us,” said Mr Kipling. “So we thought it was time to give something back so they could have a good laugh at our expense.

"It was exhausting but a lot of fun.”

The panto performance was followed by excerpts from the school’s official Christmas production of Grease which played to sellout crowds for two nights.