BOLTON actor Maxine Peake has become patron for children's charity Jessie's Fund.

The star takes over the role from her Dinnerladies co-star Victoria Wood, who held the position for 17 years until her death last year.

Founded 22 years ago, Jessie's Fund has helped thousands of children with additional and complex needs or serious illness to communicate by using music.

Maxine said: "I am very honoured to have been approached by Jessie’s Fund to become their new patron. No one could ever replace the extraordinary Victoria Wood, to be able to continue her work with an organisation she held so dear to her heart is an absolute privilege.

"Music has always played a very special part in my life, as a healer and an inspiration. To be able to reach out to young people with complex needs and allow them to communicate through the power of music is a must. What a wonderful and essential charity."

The York-based charity has worked with every children’s hospice in Britain, establishing posts for music therapists, providing instruments and offering training.

It works in schools to give young people with special needs the opportunity to create and perform their own music as well as training staff to use music as a tool for communication and learning.

It also supports organisations that work with children with disabilities and helps individual children and young people access music therapy.

Lesley Schatzberger, Jessie’s Fund director, said: "We are absolutely delighted that that Maxine Peake has become our next Patron. She first came to national attention as Twinkle in Victoria Wood’s Dinnerladies.

"Like Victoria, her roots are in the north, she has a huge talent but also a social conscience and understanding of people no matter their age, their background or their abilities.

"And I am certain that, like Victoria, she will be a great champion for our work and for the children and young people we work with."