PANTO has returned to Porlock after more than a decade thanks to the efforts of villager Chris Morris who spearheaded a campaign to drum up support from a merry band of helpers. Chris was inundated with offers of help after putting up posters around the village asking if anyone would be interested in staging a village pantomime. In fact, such was the interest, a new pantomime society was formed and left-over funds from the village's defunct panto group were donated to the fledgling organisation. Chris, whose interest in amateur dramatics was spawned after she staged a successful variety show, said she had been amazed by the response. She said: "I only put up a few notices around the village and I couldn't believe it. I was inundated." The would-be performers, back stage crew members, writer, musicians and director were soon meeting regularly to work on their very first production - The Revenge of Captain Hook. Based on the classic children's story Peter Pan, the pantomime was a huge success and played for two nights to an appreciative audience. "We have had so much feedback about the professionalism of the show - it's been brilliant. We've shocked ourselves," Chris said. The society is now planning a three-night performance of the next show - rumoured to be Babes in the Wood - in February. Chris said: "People kept asking why we were doing a panto in the summer so we decided to do one in February as well. "I think the summer show was done for the tourists in the past but we enjoyed doing this one so much we've decided to do a summer and a winter one." Anyone interested in finding out more about the new society should contact Chris on 01643 862841. Auditions for the February pantomime will take place in September.