Derby Theatre has announced that Stratstone Mini Derby, the Mini retailer based in the city, is sponsoring its big Christmas production this year, a new adaptation of Alice in Wonderland.

Stratstone Mini Derby is a high profile, award-winning and popular business in the city of Derby and the Christmas show sponsorship deal has enabled the theatre to promote Alice in Wonderland even further afield, and to an even broader audience.

As part of the deal, Mini Derby have provided Derby Theatre with a Mini Countryman, branded with the show graphics and image, to drive around different areas of the county, and to use for promotional events.

Nicknamed by the theatre as "The Mad Hatter Mini", over the next few weeks the car may be spotted by the people of Derby driving around, parked up outside the theatre and in different locations over the next few weeks.

A spokesperson for Stratstone Mini Derby said: "Stratstone Mini Derby are delighted to be supporting Derby Theatre's annual Christmas production, bringing a touch of sparkle to the people of the city this festive season".

Andrew McIntyre (Business & Development Manager, Derby Theatre) said: "It’s great that Stratstone Mini have sponsored our production of Alice in Wonderland because they can see that the sponsorship publicity and branding works for them as a business trying to attract new customers and retain current customers.

"We are both progressive, creative businesses and working together like this has had many mutual benefits for our brands in terms of both our customers and our staff.”