CORONATION Street's biggest 'waster' Les Battersby proved he had a heart of gold after all when he raised cash for a poorly little girl.

The 'neighbour from hell,' spends his soap days shirking work and cadging cash.

But actor Bruce Jones rushed from a hectic day's filming on the Street in Manchester to delight fund-raisers at Blackburn nightspot Never Never Land last night.

The money raised will go towards a campaign to help three-year-old Charlotte Speddy, who suffers from severe curvature of the spine. Charlotte, who lives in Bethesda, North Wales, has two uncles and a great aunt who live in Rishton.

Before Bruce joined in the cabaret fun he said: "I've been to a lot of other events all over the place to back this, and we've just reached £125,000.

"It all started when I got a letter from Charlotte's parents, asking for help.

"It's something I'm prepared to travel a long way to support."

Charlotte was given just hours to live after being born with multiple defects. She had two ribs missing, leaving no room for one of her lungs to develop.

But she has just had surgery in San Antonio Children's Hospital, Texas -- thanks to campaign funds. The op is aimed at allowing her lungs and heart to develop properly.

Cash raised last night at the club, owned by Margo Grimshaw, will be used to cover follow-up treatment, and Bruce pledged he is still trying to raise more.

He said he met Charlotte recently when he waived a fee to open a shop in Wales. He has also given the family a number of items for a charity auction.

Charlotte's great aunt, Dot Burns, of Company Street, Rishton, said: "We were are over the moon when we heard that Bruce had got involved. I couldn't believe it. It's just something you don't expect from television stars."

Fund-raiser Stuart Hogg, of Chapel Street, Rishton, said: "When we heard about little Charlotte's story, we couldn't help but get involved. We were all touched and knew we had to do something."

Charlotte is a twin. Her parents, Angela and Stephen, spent seven years trying for children before they were successful after using IVF treatment.

Charlotte was not well enough to travel to Blackburn to meet Bruce again.

Anyone wishing to donate to Charlotte's appeal can pay funds into the Lloyds TSB Bank, account number 08/35324, sort code 309043.