A TELEVISION actress has donated two raffle prizes for an event to launch a refurbished church hall.

Former Coronation Street star Denise Welch has donated a signed script of her latest show, Waterloo Road, and a signed photo for the raffle, to be held at St Patrick's Church Hall, in Consett.

The actress was born in nearby Ebchester and attended Blackfyne School. Her parents are expected to attend the event at the hall tomorrow.

Parish priest Father Jeff Dodds said: "It's fantastic to get support from someone so well known, and we're really pleased to welcome Denise's parents on Friday night.

"This is part two of the launch of our newly-revamped church hall, and we're hoping it will be as great a success as the first night."

St Patrick's Hall was formally re-opened by Bishop Kevin Dunn, the Catholic Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle, on May 11.

Tomorrow's event, which includes a three-course dinner and entertainment, is being staged to thank everyone involved in transforming the hall over the past three years.

Tickets, priced £10, are available on 01207-502196.

More than £80,000 has been spent on the hall, which dates back to the 1920s. In the project it was rewired and redecorated, a kitchen was installed and areas have been refurbished.

Further work is to be carried out to meet the needs of disabled users and create a youth club, complete with music practice facilities, alongside an open access language and learning suite.