COMEDY actress Vicki Michelle took time off from appearing at a North-East theatre to open a local garden fete.

The television star, who sprang to fame in the television series Allo, Allo, did the honours at the summer fete at George Dent Nursery School, Darlington, on Saturday.

She is appearing in the Alan Ayckbourn comedy Round and Round The Garden, at Darlington Civic Theatre, but is best known as saucy Yvette in the BBC comedy.

She said: "I seem to have found myself in gardens all week - every night on stage at the civic and here today in the beautiful grounds of George Dent Nursery school.

"This is a lovely nursery and like the civic theatre it's much loved and part of the heritage of this town. I'm honoured to be able to be here and declare the fete open."