The co-ordinator of Alsager and Crewe's Stroke Survivors Language and Support group had a surprise while out Christmas shopping.

Liz Bedson, who runs the two groups with the help of other volunteers, found herself saying 'hi de hi' to a star of stage and TV.

Liz was shopping in Northwich today (Monday) in a card shop when she bumped into none other than Su Pollard.

Su is starring in Jack and the Beanstalk in Northwich

The famous actress and singer, who starred in the sitcom, Hi-e-Hi, is appearing in Jack and the Beanstalk in Northwich 

Liz said: "I stopped off at the card shop, Clintons and looked up and there was Su.

"She was lovely and very chatty. I told her all about the stroke group and she said what an amazing job we're doing."

But it's not the first time Liz has bumped into a local panto star. Last year, she bumped into Bobby Davro in Crewe, who was starring in Sleeping Beauty at Crewe Lyceum.

The Alsager branch of the Stroke Survivors Speech & Language Group, launched earlier this year, meets weekly at the 13 Club on Thursday mornings from 10.30 am until 12noon.

The Crewe branch of the Stroke Survivors Speech & Language Support Group was launched four years ago.

It is based at Union Street Baptist Church on Union Street in Crewe and meets on Tuesdays at 11am.

Both groups aim to help stroke survivors in Cheshire East and surrounding areas with speech, language and communication difficulties.

It also aims to help the stroke survivors gain more contact with others, clearing them of their social isolation in a friendly and relaxed setting.