ENERGETIC television superstar Keith Chegwin performed acrobatic Kung Fu kicks and organised a screaming contest to drum up support for Worcester's very own multi-coloured Swap Shop.

Cheggers decided to go beyond the call of duty with an impromptu comedy act outside the Guildhall on Saturday to attract as many people as possible to the Swap Shop inside but told crowds he loved Worcester so much he would never swap it for the world.

The pint-sized presenter lived up to his Peter Pan image and had his audience in stitches as he cracked jokes about a man who performed Kung Fu kicks on live television and then realised he could have his incapacity benefits stopped.

Cheggers, aged 50, seemed to have lost none of his old appeal and youthful vigour as he leapt into the air to show off his acrobatic flying kicks to cheers from his audience.

But he disappointed his female fans by refusing to take his clothes off as he did in the controversial gameshow, Naked Jungle.

A couple chuckled after he accused a man of taking pictures of other women behind his wife's back As the crowds began to swell he shouted out: "Get a free Cheggers t-shirt. I've only got 10,000 of these left."

Cheggers was distracted by the sight of the Ann Summers shop opposite the Guildhall and said: "I didn't realise Worcester was that sort of place."

By now a large crowd had gathered, just like on his Swap Shop broadcast in his heyday at Worcester's County Hall almost 30 years ago in 1979.

Cheggers said he loved Worcester and added: "Someone just phoned me and said it would be great if I could get people to recycle their rubbish. Rather than throwing something away, give it to someone who might want it. It's a nice idea because it's so simple.

"Worcester is a fantastic part of the world - no-one gets offended when you take the mickey. I would even consider living here. Worcester is one of those places that has never lost its identity. I would not swap this place for the world."

The aim of the day, organised by Worcestershire County Council, was to stop people throwing away their Christmas presents and find them a new home instead, preventing rubbish from going into landfill.

Jane Orme, waste challenge manager from the council, said the idea was that of her colleague Chris Atkinson.

She said: "We decided it would be brilliant to recreate the atmosphere of the original 1970s Swap Shop. We asked Keith if he was available and he was happy to come. That era was a happy time for him and he was keen to support us in reducing the amount of waste that goes to landfill. One man's junk is another man's treasure."

Twins Thomas and Imogen Ford, both aged four, of Fort Royal, Worcester, were happy when their parents, Andy and Helen, decided to swap a pashmina and a candle set for a toy gun and a light sabre.

Jack Baker, also four, of Fernhill Heath was equally delighted when he picked up a train set in exchange for an unwanted oven glove.