Two Hollyoaks stars were special guests at a family fun day in aid of World Down Syndrome Day.

Eva Lorente, who plays Minnie Blake on the Channel 4 soap, was joined at the event in Great Harwood by her on-screen mum Nikki Sanderson.

The 22-month-old visited Snuffy’s Bar with her parents Alana and Paul Lorente and was joined by youngsters from across the region, raising more than £1,300.

The event was organised by Caz Moreton of the Accrington Lions, who is also Eva’s great-aunt and main chaperone for when she films on Hollyoaks.

Caz said: “I invited Nikki informally as Eva does a lot of filming with her and she came out of the goodness of her heart.

“She was here for about two hours and I made sure she met all the stallholders and had their picture taken with her.

“After that Nikki had pictures with anyone who wanted to make a donation. She was fantastic and everyone was saying what a lovely lady she is.

“Eva has a really lovely relationship with Nikki both on and off-screen and also with Jeremy Sheffield who played her dad on the show. It’s like having a second family.”

The event was held on Saturday, March 19 and was attended by more than 100 people.

It included over 20 different stalls, an auction with shirts supplied by Accrington Stanley and Portsmouth football clubs and a raffle with 90 prizes donation by local business.

Families and children were also able to enjoy taking part in singing nursery songs and playing on a bouncy castle and trampoline.

Caz, 54, said: “The owners at Snuffys were fantastic and did a great job with yellow and blue balloons everywhere which are the colours of World Down Syndrome Day. It was one of the only events in East Lancashire and we had support on the day from the East Lancashire Down Syndrome Group.

“All the money will be going to both individuals and groups on East Lancashire who support people with Down Syndrome.”

Caz said they are looking to move the event to an Accrington high school next year and hope to make it ‘bigger and better’.

She said: “We could get all the schools involved with an odd sock day which is symbolic of World Down Syndrome Day and helps promote awareness. Eva visits schools a lot and they always recognise her.”