A WOMAN battling a debilitating terminal illness will meet another of her favourite celebrities next week.

Liz Shipley, of Newcastle, who has Motor Neurone Disease (MND), will be adding another celebrity name to her list when she meets footballing hero Jack Charlton.

She recently hit the headlines when she met her idol Cliff Richard. She is now set to shake Jack's hand at a gala in Newcastle City Hall, on Saturday, December 7.

She said: "I'm fast becoming one of the in-crowd. Cliff was lovely, and he has been a favourite of mine for many years - it really was a dream come true.

"Now, I'm one of the VIPs at the gala concert, so will meet Jack and other important guests - it is almost like being royalty."

Jack will be guest of honour at the Tchaikovsky Gala Concert. All proceeds go to the Krister Ottosson Appeal for MND in the North-East.

The appeal was launched last year and aims to raise £150,000 to help fund the MND care centre at the Royal Victoria Infirmary. It will also go towards specialist equipment, an information helpline, paying the wages of a regional care adviser and financial assistance for families living with the disease, through grants.

Concert tickets are priced from £6 to £30, available on 0191-261 2606.