A Hollyoaks star was the special guest at a family fun day in aid of World Down Syndrome Day.

Eva Lorente, from Oswaldtwistle, has Down Syndrome and plays the role of Minnie Blake on the Channel 4 soap.

The 10-month-old, who attends Little Cheeky Monkey’s day nursery in Great Harwood, visited Snuffy’s bar for World Down Syndrome Day and was joined by youngsters from across the region.

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

Caz said: “Baby Minnie is heavily involved in storylines on Hollyoaks at the moment and has been since she was born.

“The family feel that Hollyoaks are approaching the storylines in a very positive way and are themselves dispelling myths as they go along, the first one being that Down Syndrome babies are born to mothers over 40.

“The character of Maxine, Minnie’s mother is played by Nikki Sanderson who is only 30 and is almost the same age as Alana, who is Eva’s mum.

“The experience for Eva has been a really positive one and it is like she has a second family at Lime Pictures with all the actors and the crew.” Eva has appeared in Hollyoaks for the past seven months and has now had her contract renewed for a further six months.

Caz said the family fun day was the only event of its type in the region on World Down Syndrome Day and also attracted parents and children from Burnley, Blackburn and Darwen.

She said: “The aim of the day is to raise awareness of the positive side of living with and loving babies, children and adults with Down Syndrome and dispel some of the myths that are out there.

“If we can do this while having fun and raising funds then all the better.

“The event was packed and we were really fortunate with the weather. People are already asking us about the next one.

“A biker club attended with their Harley Davidsons and the children got to have their picture taken on them.”

Biker Anthony ‘Ants’ Gerahty also shaved off his beard on the day and raised £400. The total amount raised from the event has reached more than £1,300. Snuffy’s managers Pat and Debs also decoated the bar in blue and yellow which are the colours of Down Syndrome awareness.