A CHARITY pantomime at Brierley Hill Civic Hall has raised a showstopping £20,000 for Mary Stevens Hospice.

The Stourbridge hospice's interpretation of classic tale The Wizard of Oz - which ran for three performances at the civic hall - starred X Factor contestant Wagner as the Wizard and Black Country comedy star Marlene Watson as the Black Country Witch of the West.

A host of stars from amateur dramatic groups also trod the boards in the show directed by Mike Capri with musical direction from Adam Joy and sponsored by The Lee, Shaw Partnership.

Hospice bosses say they sold more more than 1,800 tickets for what was their first-ever fundraising pantomime - which received a standing ovation at the end of each performance.

Amanda Bowen, event organiser, Mary Stevens Hospice Group said: “It was a phenomenal couple of days and the entire production group have been completely blown away by the response.

"It’s taken eight months of hard work and endless donations of time, equipment, talent and hard work from so, so many members of our community, and the end result is a show that neither we or our supporters will ever forget.

"I'd like to thank everyone who made the show possible and to all who attended."

Following the success of the production - hospice fundraisers are looking to stage an adaptation of Cinderella later this year.