I AM very excited by the news that Matthew Bourne is returning to the Liverpool Empire next year with his version of Cinderella.

Swan Lake, which he brought here at the beginning of this year, was really magical and I've been hoping his company would come back ever since.

The ballet is set in London during the Second World War and uses Prokofiev's original score. A chance meeting results in a magical night for Cinderella and her dashing young RAF pilot, together just long enough to fall in love before being parted by the horrors of the Blitz.

Tickets go on sale today.