Cinderella stars 'dolphin Dave'

An angler has created a website dedicated to Dave

An amateur dramatic society is to include a Kent seaside town's biggest celebrity in its New Year pantomime.

Folkestone and Hythe Operatic and Dramatic Society (FHODS) will feature Dave the dolphin in many of the gags in its production of Cinderella.

Dave has boosted the town's tourist trade since he was first seen in April 100ft (30m) out to sea on the reef between Folkestone and Seabrook.

Before the panto run, FHODS is to host a beach clean-up in his honour.

Endangered creatures

The cast, armed with bin bags, will be picking up rubbish in full costume, starting outside the Rotunda on 6 January.

"We want people to realise that these beautiful creatures are endangered and that everyone needs to do their bit to help," said spokesman Bob Osborne.

Dave has attracted hundreds of visitors to Folkestone and was given a tourism award in November by Kent Tourism Academy in Hythe.

A website devoted to him has received more than 300,000 hits a month and T-shirts and other memorabilia have been sold for charity.

Cinderella, which runs from 18 to 27 January, is at the Leas Cliff Hall in Folkestone.