The cast of the Alhambra pantomime Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs brought laughter and smiles to a children’s ward at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

In full colour costume and make-up, they paid a welcome visit to ward two at BRI, a 28-bed paediatric surgical ward, yesterday.

The Magnificent 7, made up of Michael Walter, Pete Bonner, Stephen Boyd, Craig Salisbury, Phil Searle, Jason Tompkins and George Appleby, were joined by Bradford’s favourite panto star Billy Pearce (Muddles) and fellow cast members, Sian Reeves (Queen Lucretia), Kelly Chinery (Snow White), Stephen Craig (Prince Michael) and Peter Piper (Oddjob) for the annual visit.

The visit was a welcome distraction for four-year-old Reece Allan and his parents Chris Allan and Vicky Hale and sister 15-month-old Bailey, of Carr Street, Bradford.

Reece has been confined to bed since breaking his leg a week ago and he enjoyed telling the panto stars about his accident. His parents said the youngster had been upset at being away from home and praised the ward staff for their hard work and dedication in looking after the patients.

Five-year-old Kayden Hewitt, of Undercliffe, was in gales of laughter at the antics of the seven dwarfs. The youngster, who has recently undergone an ear operation, declared them: “funny guys!”.

Eight-year-old Mohammed Hamza, accompanied by dad Mohammed Jabbar, of Heaton, also posed for a photograph with the cast, before returning to maths tuition.

Hard-working staff on the ward were not left out and enjoyed the visit as much as the children and their families.

The panto normally comes to the wards before Christmas and David Menebhi, senior charge nurse, who has worked at BRI for 23 years, said: “I was worried they weren’t coming this year!

“Our children look forward to it and it is always fantastic.”

Billy added: “It is lovely we can brighten people’s day.”

The panto runs until February 6.