Widow Twankey runs a Chinese laundry in this month's pantomime from Keighley Amateurs.

But the old-fashioned mangle she will use in family show Aladdin was manufactured a lot closer to home.

Prop maker Peter Greenwood found a real mangle so the dame can wring clothes in the panto's slapstick scenes.

And the old machine, bearing the trademark Globe, was more than likely made in Keighley.

The making of wringers was the town's third-largest industry in the late 19th century and well into the 1950s.

Panto producer Keith Marsden remembers the names of W & S Summerscales, Co-op Ironworks and Heatons as being close competitors.

He said: "The Summerscales family from their Keighley home, Rockfield, were renowned patrons of the arts and the Summerscales Musical Festival bore their name.

"Soirees were held in a specially-constructed music room at Rockfield, and many well-known names performed there.

"A far cry, perhaps, from musical soirees to pantomime, but Keighley remains proud of its industrial and musical connections to the present day."

Mr Marsden said that Peter Greenwood -- who also performs in Aladdin -- did not wring his hands in despair when asked to find a mangle.

Mr Marsden added: "In the far recesses of the prop room he remembered seeing such a relic from earlier shows.

"Sure enough it was still there, complete with wooden rollers and the original wrought-iron frame showing the trademark Globe."

The mangle can be seen when Aladdin takes to the stage at Victoria Hall from January 25 to February 1.

Tickets for the show -- including Saturday and Sunday matinees -- are on sale at Keighley Information Centre in the town hall, by phoning 01535 652507.