A CORONATION Street star stepped on stage to lend her support to disabled people.

The annual Kid-e-Quip event at the Reebok Stadium attracted thousands of people from all over the North-west for an action-packed two days including seminars, displays of equipment to help the disabled and a colourful children's fashion show.

Visitors came from as far away as Cardiff and Southampton for the event which was organised by the charity Disabled Living. It included an appearance from young Coronation Street star Nikki Sanderson, who plays teenager Candice.

Rachel Hopwood from Rochdale, who suffers from the rare condition "FOP" which makes soft tissue turn to bone, was also a VIP guest and joined dozens of youngsters from Bolton for the Asda fashionwear catwalk show.

Training and education co-ordinator from Disabled Living, Mary Guest, said: "There is a real buzz in the air and everyone I have spoken to has really enjoyed it."