YOU can bet that quite a few dads and grandads will be keener than usual to accompany the youngsters to the pantomime at Worcester's Swan Theatre this year.

No offence to former Carry On and TV actress Liz Frazer, who pulled out of the Chrismas run of Jack And The Beanstalk last month citing personal problems, but a whole section of the audience will be a lot more enthusiastic about seeing her replacement.

For it is none other than Swedish screen star and sex symbol Britt Ekland, who will be taking to the stage in the role of Fairy Kindheart.

If that name means nothing to do, imagine Abi Titmuss, Anna Kournikova and Angelina Jolie all rolled into one and you'll have some idea about how famous she was.

This is the woman who set pulses racing as one of the more memorable Bond girls and put in an even more unforgettable, ahem, performance in British cult classic The Wicker Man.

Getting a global star like Ms Ekland to come to Worcester is a remarkable coup and Chris Jaeger and his team at Huntingdon Arts deserve several pats on the back.

But it also says something for Worcester itself that, after seeing pictures of our city, Ms Ekland jumped at the chance to spend five weeks here.

Just as thousands of people will rush to see the legend in the flesh, despite the fact that Ms Ekland is hardly 25 any more.

Who said fairy godmothers didn't exist?