STAR footballers are among celebrities lined up for a charity ball next month.

The Rainbow Trust Children's Charity is holding its fourth annual northern ball at Newcastle's Gosforth Park Hotel on Saturday, April 21.

The sold-out event's star-studded guest list includes Newcastle players Alan Shearer, Rob Lee, Gary Speed and Warren Barton.

Husband and wife actors Denise Welch and Tim Healy will also be among the 300 guests, while former Spandau Ballet singer Tony Hadley will perform his chart-topping hits from the 1980s.

A champagne reception will be followed by dinner, dancing and the auction of two cars.

The charity - which helps the families of terminally-ill children - raised more than £50,000 through last year's ball and hopes to acheieve another good total.

A charity spokesman said: "This unique charity offers non-medical practical and emotional support from diagnosis and treatment through to bereavement care if needed.

"Across the UK, teams of carers offer 24-hour support in the family home and at respite centres in Surrey and North-umberland.

"Rainbow Fernstone, in Northumberland, is a short-stay haven that opened in 1996 to offer a break for the whole family, including the sick child.

"The trust cares for families from all over the North. All care provided is entirely free."