Three pensioners who missed a pantomime after their bus to the theatre never arrived will get to see the show with a regional daily’s help.

The Ipswich Star will fund the trio’s travel to see the Sword in the Stone after they were left standed when three scheduled buses to the town’s Wolsey Theatre failed to arrive at their bus stop.

The Star reported on the plight of 76-year-old Alan Titchmarsh, wife Lesley, 70, and neighbour Janet James, 76, who waited for more than an hour in wintry weather for a bus.

The newspaper agreed to fund their taxi journey to see the show on a later date, while the theatre itself has allowed the group to reschedule their attendance to a later date.

Janet James, left, with Alan and Lesley Titchmarsh

Star editor Terry Hunt said: “Everyone at the paper was really upset when we heard about Alan, Lesley and Janet missing the pantomime.

“So we’re delighted that our friends at the Wolsey Theatre have very generously agreed to help out, and we will be pleased to organise a taxi to and from the show – which I’m sure they will thoroughly enjoy.”

First Buses, which runs the route affected, said that heavy traffic heading into town for Christmas shopping had caused several services to be late on the date the trio had been due to attend.

A spokesman from the theatre added: “It is always frustrating for our customers when they cannot attend or are late to a performance.

“We are looking forward to talking to Alan, Lesley and Janet directly to discuss their options to make an alternative visit so that they can still enjoy this year’s rock and roll panto.”