AN AUSTRALIAN soap star was among three pantomime cast members injured in a car-crash near Durham City.

Lucinda Cowden, was badly bruised in the two-car collision just before 5am on Friday, but was able to return to the seasonal production of Peter Pan at Durham's Gala Theatre that night.

Ms Cowden was a passenger in a Citroen Saxo, which was involved in a collision with a Volkswagen Golf at Nevilles Cross, at the junction of the A690 and A167.

The Australian actress appeared as Melanie Pearson in the soap Neighbours in the early 1990s.

Cast member Adam Jenkins, who played pirate Bad Breath Seth, was arrested on suspicion of drink driving.

The actor, also a lead dancer in the show, has withdrawn from the production.

Victoria Jones, who played Wendy,suffered a suspected fractured pelvis in the crash and will not be able to return to the production before the end of its run.

For full story see the Boxing Day edition of The Northern Echo.