YOUNGSTERS will be parading on the catwalk this week when they take part in a fashion show to raise the profile of disabled people.

A group of 19 children from special schools all over Greater Manchester will be showing off all the latest fashions from Asda's George range of clothing at the Reebok stadium this Wednesday and Thursday for the Kid-e-Quip event.

Hundreds of people are expected to attend the exhibition which will also include dozens of stands of specialised equipment to make life easier for disabled youngsters, voluntary organisations offering advice as well as several round table discussions.

Last year's event proved an enormous success with celebrities Kid Creole and Will Mellor mingling with the children.

Fans of Brookside are in for a treat this year with actor Andrew Fillis, who played Lindsay Corkhill's baddie ex-husband Gary, performing Macbeth and A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Andrew runs the nrg theatre company and specialises in staging Shakespeare productions for schools.

Special guest at the show on Wednesday will be Claire Sweeney who plays Lindsay Corkhill, and the host of Shopping City and Bolton lass, Eve Threlkeld, will be meeting the youngsters on Thursday.

Ex-Emmerdale villain, David Crellin, will also be making an appearance as will stars of a Manchester show and there could be a few surprise sporting heroes on hand too.

There will be a disco following each fashion show for the kids aged 4-16 years old, but adults are welcome to attend providing they are accompanied by a child!

Father Christmas will be visiting the show each day at 2pm.

There will be two fashion shows on Wednesday, at 1pm and 5pm and just one on Thursday starting at 2pm.

The Shakespeare workshops will be held at 12pm and 3pm on Wednesday and at 3pm on Thursday.

Events co-ordinator Sonia Greaves from Disable Living in Manchester said: "The children taking part in the fashion shows are very excited and cannot wait to get on the catwalk.

"They absolutely love it.

"We really want to highlight our services which include helping disabled kids find high street clothes that they can wear after a few adjustments."