CLASSIC Christmas treat Beauty and the Beast returns to Birmingham Hippodrome this week.

Birmingham Royal Ballets present the well known tale of passion and prejudice for one week only, starting tomorrow and running until December 15.

Following a sell-out performance in 2003, David Bintley's full-length ballet tells the tale of an impoverished merchant searching the country to salvage his lost fortunes.

He seeks refuge in a mysterious castle but when he picks a forbidden rose for his daughter Belle, he is forced to forfeit her to the Beast.

And as Belle meets her captor, her discovery of the meaning of true love begins in the emotive production, which has been dedicated to the City of Birmingham by Birmingham Royal Ballet in appreciation of its continuing support and generosity towards the company. Tickets, priced £12.50-£42.50 are available from the box office on 0870 730 1234 or www.birminghamhippodrome.com