INTERNATIONAL songstress Sheila Ferguson appeared in Colchester as she prepares to star in panto.

Fans can catch her at Ipswich Regent Theatre from December 17 when she takes on the role of the wicked fairy in this year’s pantomime, Sleeping Beauty.

Sheila, who found fame with international sensation the Three Degrees, dropped into the Colchester landmark in her costume to promote the show.

She also made time to speak to some residents and sign autographs as promotional photographs were taken.

Sheila was joined by Any Dream Will Do runner-up Keith Jack, who will be playing the Prince, and Ella Gilling, from CBBC’s the Next Step, as the Princess.

The group visited Colchester because a big portion of the theatre’s pantomime audience come from north Essex.

This year’s production, Sleeping Beauty, will be showing from December 17 until January 2 at the Ipswich Regent Theatre.

For ticket details, go to apps.ipswich.gov.uk and search for Sleeping Beauty.