CORONATION Street actress Julie Hesmondhalgh is to be guest of honour at a tsunami fundraising event in Holmfirth.

Julie, who plays transsexual Hayley Cropper, will be at an event organised by Honley educational drama company Impact On Learning.

The group is holding a children's fun day at the Civic Hall from 11am to 3pm on Thursday.

There will be an interactive puppet show, Diddlydum Storychums, followed by boogie time with Disco Dave.

There will also be stalls, face-painting, puppet-making, toys, books, food and art and crafts.

For adults, there will be facials, head massages and a raffle, including a prize of a rally driving session.

Also, clothes will be collected for Oxfam.

The proceeds of the event will be given to the United Nations children's organisation Unicef to buy educational supplies for children in areas of Sri Lanka hit by the tsunami.

Tickets are on sale at Holmfirth Tourist Information Centre, phone 01484 222444.

GENEROUS parents at Kirkheaton Parish Playgroup raised £521 for the tsunami disaster appeal.

The playgroup, based in the Old School House, sent £100 to the appeal, then raised a further £421 with a coffee morning and bring- and-buy sale.

Playgroup supervisor Lynn Batey said: "I want to thank all the parents who have been so generous."

ROYDS Hall High School pupils have raised £1,416 to help survivors of the Asian tsunami.

The Paddock school held a series of collections to raise the cash.

A raffle was also held by form group 7LWa and form group 7HA held a sponsored silence.

These raised £154.50 towards the total.