PANTO star Pee Wee Price helped brighten up Christmas for youngsters forced to spend it in hospital.

Pee Wee, who plays Buttons in Cinderella at Durham's Gala Theatre, visited the Treetops ward at the University Hospital of North Durham to spread some festive cheer.

He handed out promotional posters of children's films that have been shown at the theatre's cinema so that the ward will be a brighter, friendlier place.

The diminutive comedian said: "This is the type of thing I love doing, putting smiles on the faces of kids. It is what it is all about.

"It must be awful to be a kid in hospital for Christmas and it must be awful for the parents, too.''

Pee-Wee had been due to be accompanied by fellow cast members Kirsti McDonagh, who plays Cinderella, and Luke Gasper, who plays Prince Charming.

But theatre spokesman Ed Tutty said: "Cinders and Prince Charming both have colds, although they were still able to perform, so we decided not to take them up to the hospital for fear of spreading germs.

"Pee Wee brought a smile to the youngsters. One little girl who had just had an operation couldn't believe Buttons had come to see her and said she was going to get herself better so she could see the panto."

The production runs until Sunday, January 4 and tickets for some shows are still available.

For details, call the box office on 0191-332 4041.

Published: ??/??/2003