When the leading lady fell sick hours before show time, it looked like curtains for the rest of a panto cast.

They had no understudy and no one to step into the role at such short notice.

But as if by magic, and with just hours to go before the next sell-out performance of Arabian Nights: The Panto, a teenage wonder swept into the breach, learning the whole script off by heart in an afternoon.

Lisa Barnard, 15, who appeared in the panto last year, learnt the entire script as well as all the dances and songs in less than four hours with help from other members of the Meeching Amateur Dramatics group in New-haven and the performance went off without a hitch.

Lisa, from Newhaven said: "I have just got a knack for learning lines really.

"My sister took the call and when I first found out I didn't believe her.

"I thought it was ridiculous but then I said give me a shot, I bet I can do it.

"I am really chuffed but I couldn't have done it without all the others' help."

The panic broke out when first leading lady Laura Gardner, 18, from Bishopstone fell ill with gastric flu and could no longer play the part of Tommy.

She struggled on with the performance on Monday night but later collapsed at home and was treated by paramedics.

She said: "Hopefully I will be back before the end of the run. It is a bit annoying to have got this far and then be stopped because it has been quite a big commitment but it has been really enjoyable."

Gary English, chairman of the group, which is performing the panto at Meeching Hall in Newhaven until Saturday, said: "It was obviously quite upsetting because everyone had put a lot of work in and we felt terrible for Laura because she was so ill.

"We were trying to decide what to do and whether to postpone it and refund tickets. We were in a bit of a panic.

"But then Lisa stepped in. It went extremely well and we are so pleased.

"She showed her nerves for about 30 seconds - then she flew through it.

"I was following the script and it was more or less perfect. She took over with a few hours' notice and she really got us out of trouble."