TRADITIONAL end-of-the-pier entertainment returns to the stage in Clacton with the West Cliff Theatre's spectacular Summer Show.

The annual variety extravaganza is back with a vengeance, with side-splitting comedy, live music, dancing girls and specialist entertainers.

Comedy impressionist Adam Daye has worked alongside big-name stars such as Victoria Wood, Danny La Rue, Larry Grayson, Frankie Howerd, Bob Monkhouse and Ken Dodd.

Claudia Contortionist is billed as Britain's bendiest woman and has appeared showing off her eye-popping talents on ITV's This Morning.

She is believed to be the only person in the UK able to perform an unbelievable stunt called the spinning Marinelli bend.

Natasha Boyle provides more circus-style fun as she dangles above the stage in her aerial hoop act.

Co-producer Aaron Lissimore said: "I wanted really visual acts to engage the whole audience.

"It's a really traditional end-of-the-pier variety show, and I'm trying to take it back to the heydays of Francis Golightly and the Cascade Revue.

"It's very family-friendly. We've got music from Gershwin to Justin Timberlake and there is something for each generation so children, parents and grandparents will be just as enthralled."

Professional singers Kilke John and James Waud have both starred at the Thursford Christmas Spectacular, and James has just finished a UK tour of an all-male version of HMS Pinafore.

And pro dancers return to the Summer Show stage for the first time in a decade, including Lucy Heath and Harvey Dorling, who both graduated from Aaron's Clacton-based Company Performing Arts.

They are joined by youngsters from the Company.

The Summer Show is on Tuesdays at 2pm and 6pm, and Wednesdays at 6pm throughout August, with 7pm gala performances this Saturday***AUG06*** and on August 27. Tickets are £16 and one child can go free with each paying adult. To book call 01255 433344.