RUSS ABBOTT has brought a little sunshine to children with learning difficulties.

The comedian and actor, appearing in the musical, Doctor Doolittle, at the Sunderland Empire theatre, presented a Sunshine coach to children at Harelaw Special School, on Thursday.

The school in Catchgate, Stanley, caters for under-privileged children, aged between four and 16, with learning difficulties.

The coach costs just over £23,000, and, with a special wheelchair lift, will mean more freedom for many pupils at the school.

Headteacher Paul Eagle said: "We have more children with mobility problems than we used to have.

"Even if we had just one disabled child, they need to travel in a dignified way and not have to be lifted in and out of a vehicle.

"We were really grateful to Russ Abbott who took time to present this."