A HOLLYWOOD pin-up has sent a star-struck Bolton gran an early Christmas present.

Pretty Woman star Richard Gere has mailed a special signed photo to grandmother-of-10 Lillian Birchall, who counts herself as his biggest fan.

The 78-year-old told how she opened her front door to find the surprise package containing the star's picture on the doorstep.

But Lillian, who lives in the aptly named Hollywood House in Church Road, Bolton, still does not know who organised delivery of the surprise snapshot of her Tinsletown favourite.

She said: "I just opened my door and there it was. At first I thought it was a calendar from my friend who lives in Canada.

"I couldn't believe it when I took this piece of cardboard out and there was a photograph of Richard Gere. There was no letter inside or note to say who had organised it for me.

"I was absolutely spell-bound. After all this time it was unbelievable to think that someone had thought of me.

"It's an unusual picture in that he is looking away from the camera and has his eyes shut. I think it was taken a few years ago because he looks younger." The signed black and white photo, bearing the message "Miss Lillian, love Richard Gere", was sent in an envelope bearing a New York post mark.

But Lillian says she is sure her family did not arrange for the photograph to be mailed to her, joking: "All my relatives think I'm a bit mad."

Her photo surprise comes in the same year that Lillian jetted to America to hunt for the Hollywood home of the A-list movie star.

Unfortunately she was not able to track down Mr Gere's Malibu home.

But her flat is still filled with pictures of the movie star, with the latest addition sure to take pride of place.

Lillian added: "I've not put it anywhere yet because I've got to get it framed."