Hawthorne Theatre in Welwyn Garden City reviews toddler ban

Toddlers will be allowed into a theatre to see a panto - after a council agreed to relax its ban on under-threes.

The Hawthorne Theatre in Welwyn Garden City does not allow children under 36 months into theatre performances.

And it had not made an exception for Jack and the Beanstalk, which was billed as being "for the whole family".

But now Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council has said: "All children will be allowed into the pantomime following a review of guidelines."

The decision was taken after a complaint from a mother who had wanted to bring a baby into the theatre, together with her older children.

Paul Underwood, from the council, said it was "not alone" in its policy and this was the first time the theatre had received a complaint about its under-threes rule.

"As well as the disruption their crying could cause, pantomimes can be a very loud experience for young children," he said.

"It can be quite frightening for some very young children, particularly if they have not been to a pantomime before.

"We want to encourage all families to come along together to see our production of Jack and the Beanstalk, and this is why we have reviewed our guidelines today and will admit all children to the pantomime."