Pigs from a Gloucestershire farm could soon make their stage debut in Cardiff, having already cracked television.

The three pigs, flying stars of the Zurich Insurance television advertisements, are auditioning for the role of Dick Whittington's cat after the incumbent actress fell ill.

If successful, one or all of the animals will star alongside Cannon and Ball at the city's New Theatre from Saturday's opening night.

The theatre's marketing manager, Matt Smith, said the theatre had decided to look for an alternative to the usual cat for the pantomime.

Genuine audition

"Dick Whittington needs a companion, and we have decided to be a bit untraditional," he said.

"Hopefully Tommy the cat will get better and be able to take over the role again."

After filming the Zurich advertisements, the pigs were spared the slaughterhouse and moved to a farm near Cirencester.

Mr Smith said the audition on Wednesday was a genuine stage test to make sure everyone was comfortable with the idea.