SOAP star Julie Hesmondhalgh has recruited her Coronation Street mates to do their party pieces and raise money for her favourite local charity.

Celebrities including Suranne Jones, who plays Karen McDonald, Jenny McAlpine (Fizz), Kevin Kennedy (Curly Watts) and David Nielson (Roy Cropper) will take part in 'Roy and Hayley's Posh Do at the Dunk' to raise money for Accrington-based Maundy Relief.

Each of the celebrities will be singing a song or reciting a monologue at the charity dinner, to be held at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel, Clayton-le-Moors, on Friday, May 9.

The charity, based in Abbey Street, Accrington, provides help for the poor and homeless but has struggled to find funding.

Julie, who is from Church, plays Hayley Cropper in the hit soap and has organised the event as patron of the charity.

She plans to sing a version of the song Waiting at the Church, but is unsure what delights her colleagues have in store.

She said: "It is going to be a really, really good night and we hope to be able to raise over £5,000 for the charity, which will make a massive difference to them because they haven't got any regular funding.

"I have been patron of the charity for the past 12 months but in the past I have only ever organised smaller events such as coffee mornings for them.

"We have a fantastic line-up of stars from the Street and it should be a really entertaining night.

"I am hoping that 200 tickets will be sold for the charity dinner and that the night will be a massive success all round."

Dorothy McGregor, manager of Maundy Relief, said: "We are so appreciative of the fact that Julie is such a genuine person who has put herself out beyond the call of duty.

"She has been absolutely wonderful with us and very often pops in to see us for a chat.

"She is a very warm and loving person.

"We are really grateful for the money she has raised for us through presentations and coffee mornings and the way in which she has helped to enhance our profile and quality of life. She has effectively saved us from closure and has pledged to continue to do so in the future."

Tickets cost £40 each and there will also be a raffle on the night with top prizes including signed Coronation Street merchandise.

Anyone wishing to buy a ticket is asked to contact Dorothy at Maundy Relief on 01254 232328.