THEATREGOERS in Thornbury will be able to buy tickets to performances around the clock via a new 24/7 online box office.

Thornbury Musical Theatre Group (TMTG), which was recently awarded funding from South Gloucestershire Council toward setting up an online booking system, has launched the service on its website www.tmtg.org.uk. The e-ticketing is currently getting its first run for TMTG’s upcoming pantomime Little Red Riding Hood which will run from Wednesday, February 13 to Saturday 16 at the Armstrong Hall.

TMTG treasurer Harsha Parmar said: "Thanks to South Gloucestershire Council we can now offer a fully automatic online facility to our audience, so they can purchase tickets at their convenience from the comfort of their own homes. "We anticipate this really will help in bringing us to the level of our professional counterparts, satisfy our customers and make local theatre more accessible."

The Positickets site provides a seating plan allowing spectators to select seatsas well as a step-by-step guide to users.

Customers preferring to buy tickets at TMTG’s box office at Wildings on Thornbury High Street will still be able to do so.

Julia Taylor, who plays the lead role in next month’s production of The Little Red Riding Hood, added: "We have to be careful not to alienate those without access to the system on our website www.tmtg.org.uk. So we’ve maintained our box office at Wildings in Thornbury High Street, from Monday to Saturday between 10am and 1pm, as well as our telephone box office 01454 853947.

"It is great to get this support from the council that allows us to be progressive."

The Little Red Riding Hood will be performed every night at 7pm, with matinees at 2pm on Friday and Saturday.