CORONATION Street star Liam Bairstow won over a new legion of new fans as he launched a fun day in East Lancashire.

The 29-year-old, who plays Alex Warner in the ITV soap, joined Mayor of Ribble Valley Cllr Joyce Holgate to officially open a Mencap fundraiser at Mrs Dowson’s Farm in Clayton-le-Dale.

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Liam, who has Down’s Syndrome, will be returning to TV screens soon as the nephew of Cathy Matthews soon and said everyone at the gathering had been “really friendly”.

He said: “I’ve been doing some filming recently and I think I’m going to be back on TV in the next week or two.”

Cllr Holgate also asked Liam to say hello to fellow cast member Malcolm Hebden, alias Corrie’s Norris, who lives in the mayor’s village.

She said: “It’s great to see how well Liam has done for himself.”

The actor had been invited to the Ribble Valley venue by supporters of Adam’s Activity Ark, an activities group for adults with learning difficulties, which is based at the farm.

Youngsters enjoyed face painting, a treasure trail and fancy dress competition.

Ellen Pope, the group’s training manager, who will be running the London Marathon for Mencap next month, said: “Our members were over the moon to welcome Liam to the event.

“They have felt inspired after watching him on TV and couldn’t wait to meet him in real life.”

Liam, who is on tour with theatre group Mind The Gap, performing true-life drama Contained, has been offered a six-month extension on the soap.