FORGET Posh Spice -- Sir Norman Wisdom is the one for us!

That's the message from a Blackburn charity after they opted to appoint the veteran entertainer as their new patron, ahead of ex-Spice Girl and footballer's wife Victoria Beckham.

The Friends of Chernobyl's Children, based in Wilpshire, this week unveiled Norman as their new patron. They now hope having a celebrity patron will help give them more clout on the national stage.

Olwyn Keogh, the charity's co-ordinator, said: "We had been on the look-out for a patron and several names were suggested, including Posh Spice.

"But Sir Norman appealed to us more, primarily because he has experienced many of the things the Chernobyl children have gone through."

In his recent autobiography Sir Norman describes his childhood as tormented by his bully father. He also spent time living on the streets.

Friends of Chernobyl's Children is devoted to providing holidays for children affected by the 1986 nuclear disaster and providing aid to the Belarus region, which has been crippled by poverty since its economy collapsed.

Olwyn added: "When we started a branch on the Isle of Man someone mentioned to us that Sir Norman, who lives there, already has an interest in our sort of work. He has an orphanage over there named after him.

"We were delighted when he agreed to help us. He has expressed a genuine interest in our cause.

"Having a well-known, respected entertainer as him supporting us, will be a big boost."

The charity's main project is currently refurbishing the Barsuki boarding school in Belarus, which is currently in a poor state.

The charity has taken out a loan to cover the cost of the refurbishment, which it is now trying to pay back as it raises money.