CHILDREN can enjoy some stage shows specially for them through the autumn until their traditional foray to the theatre at panto time.

Malvern Theatres has a programme especially for their younger audiences.

Later in the month, the fives and overs have their own comedian coming to town - and James Campbell's stand-up is claimed to 'have his little audiences howling with laughter and screaming for more.' See him on October 25 at 2.30pm, while Hans Christian Andersen's wonderful tale of The Snow Queen is given a new musical treatment on October 30 at 11am and 2pm. The show is for children aged five and above.

Puppet wizardry will be bringing some more children's favourites to life later on. On November 6, five-11s will be able to enjoy Jack, a new take on a classic, and then the Piccolo Puppet Company will present a double bill - Tom Thumb and a Taller Tale - on December 11 (aimed at ages four-10).

The Swan Theatre Amateur Company in Worcester has a children's programme running into next year. On November 6, Stodge and Podge Get Flooded Out tells the tale of garden gnomes in need of rescue. On December 4, The Stone Spell is about queens and thrones and magicians and on January 1, you can give the little ones a New Year treat with a trip to The Princess and the Dragon.

All the shows are for three to eight-year-olds, run at 10.30am and 11.45am and cost £1.50.

Chipping Norton's Theatre has regular Saturday clubs and even includes the smallest tots in its schedules, with a sing and sign music group for babies and a film club, Cinema Bambino, for critics 18 months and under.

In Cheltenham, the Everyman Youth Theatre has special events for children ages two to seven. Next up is Music for Tots on Monday.