SOAP star Joe Carter (alias Jonathan Wrather) brought smiles to hundreds of youngsters when he opened the summer fair at Park View Primary School.

The Coronation Street actor shrugged off his bad boy image for the day and happily signed autographs for his fans.

Jonathan is pictured helping launch the event by cutting a ribbon with young fans looking on. He spent several hours mingling with the crowds.

And his appearance was such a success that the fair raised around £3,000 for school funds with more to come from progamme sales

Money raised will go towards upgrading the school library, refurbishing the music room and creating an open air classroom, where pupils can study science in the outdoors.

The event also helped to raise money for the Wallness Children's Charity, of which Jonathan is a patron, for its Bone Marrow Appeal.