TOP stars from stage and screen will be heading to Blackpool Pleasure Beach later this month for one of the most prestigious awards ceremonies in showbusiness.

Corontation Street's Roy and Hayley Cropper (David Neilson and Julie Hesmondhalgh) will join the likes of Tamzin Outhwaite, Barbara Windsor and Ian Wright will be at the Michael Elliott Trust Awards on September 27.

The event is highly regarded within the industry as it sees stars rewarded by their peers, with awards from the profession to the profession.

Those lining up for honours also include soap stars such as Shane Richie and Todd Carty, Heartbeat's William Simons, Casualty's Martina Laird and newsreader, Fiona Bruce.

Michael Elliot Trust President June Brown (best known as Dot Cotton from Eastenders) will also attend, as will Trust patron Martin Shaw.

Proceeds from the evening will go to the trust, which operates a donkey sanctuary, Freshfield, in Derbyshire, which partners children with special needs with donkeys rescued from abuse and neglect.

The Pleasure Beach's deputy managing director, Amanda Thompson, producer and director of the Hot Ice, Eclipse and Mystique shows, amongst others, was bestowed with the Best Director award at the 2002 Michael Elliott Trust awards in Manchester.

Tables for the exclusive Michael Elliott Trust Awards dinner are available. Call 341033 ext 1573/1483 for details.