CHILDREN who have achieved perfect school attendance met Snow White's Wicked Witch yesterday.

Birds of a Feather star Lesley Joseph, who is appearing at the pantomime in Newcastle's Theatre Royal, took time out to praise the children.

Joseph joined pupils from schools throughout the area at the Baltic Square's ice rink, where pupils were given a free skating session by Gateshead Council.

Each school in the borough was offered the reward for pupils with 100 per cent attendance from the beginning of term until November 5.

Every child with a perfect record then had their names entered into a prize draw, which was won by ten-year-old Callum Sinclair, of Brandling Primary School.

As a reward, Callum got to bring his whole class to the rink and received a package of prizes, including a family pass for a month and tickets to see Joseph in panto.

The star said yesterday: "This is such a great way to encourage kids to keep regular attendance.

"It has been great fun meeting them and seeing them skate at what must be one of the most picturesque sites in the North-East.

"The children all seemed tor eally enjoy themsleves and they certainly deserve to."