THE Peter Pan of Football has been chosen to help showcase Disney's follow-up to the tale of the boy who never grows old.

Former England and Newcastle United hero Peter Beardsley joined North-East families for the charity premiere of Disney cartoon Return to Neverland yesterday.

Disney's film production company, Buena Vista International, granted the charity Children North-East permission to hold the first showing in the region on board the cruise ship Queen of Scandinavia's purpose-built cinema.

Beardsley joined youngsters and their parents at the premiere, which was held while the ship docked in at North Shields international ferry terminal.