Paralysed Westie pumpkin to perform in Aladdin at New Theatre Royal Lincoln

A paralysed dog is set to steal the show in the final performances of a pantomime.

West Highland terrier Pumpkin is on stage in a production of Aladdin at New Theatre Royal Lincoln.

As the show heads into its final week, Pumpkin will be making her debut with performances on Wednesday and Thursday (January 3 and 4).

Pumpkin’s back legs were paralysed due to an injury and she uses a specially designed wheelchair.

She appeared on stage earlier this year at the New Theatre Royal Lincoln as Toto in The Wizard of Oz.

After meeting the cast of this year’s Christmas pantomime, it was decided that she would take on the role of Sultan-Cha-Cha-Cha's loyal companion during four of the panto’s performances.

Joining the Westie on stage will be Olympian gymnast Louis Smith, Strictly Come Dancing’s Ian Waite, and West End leading man Roger Wright.

The theatre’s artistic director Natalie Hayes-Cowley, said: “We were blown away by Pumpkin’s performances in The Wizard of Oz.

“She took to the stage like a duck to water and honestly stole the show, and audiences’ hearts too.

“We received so much incredible feedback following her appearances, so we wanted to find a way to get her back on our wonderful stage so more patrons could see her perform.

“It is also an honour that we can play a small part in helping promote all the good work that Pumpkin and her charity does for other animals.”

The Pumpkin and Friends Charity, set up by her owners Tammie and Richard, has raised thousands of pounds and funded the purchase of hundreds of wheelchairs for dogs.