A NORTH-EAST children's charity is celebrating after one of the region's best-known stars agreed to become its patron.

Donna Air, who shot to fame after starring in Byker Grove as a child, has pledged to support the work of the Children North East charity, which supports more than 7,000 disadvantaged children each year.

She said: "I am very pleased to be associated with Children North East and am keen to help them to raise funds and publicise the work they do with children, young people and their families.

"I am a young mum myself, interested in the development of young people and feel I could use my position to help children and families whose lives may not be as privileged as mine has been.

"I am looking forward to becoming actively involved in supporting the fundraising team with their events and appeals throughout the year."

Martine Gray, community fundraiser for Children North East, said: "We are very grateful to Donna for agreeing to become a patron, and look forward to working closely with her in the future.

"Each year, the charity supports more than 7,000 local children, young people and their families. Funding our many different projects is a constant struggle and we rely heavily on the support of the local community and figureheads to aid us in our work.

"We are organising an increasing number of events throughout the region in order to involve our growing support network and raise much needed funds."

For details about the charity's work, visit www.children-ne.org or call 0191-256 2441.