A CORONATION Street star went back to her roots and helped a fundraising night go like a dream.

Nikki Sanderson - Weatherfield hairdresser Candice Stowe - appeared at an event at Summerseat Garden Centre to help raise money to rebuild the church community centre where she made her acting debut.

She starred in pantomime at All Saints Parish Centre in her youth and did a stint as a church altar girl.

Now she is supporting efforts to raise £800,000 to rebuild the centre at St Francis House Church in Hebburn Drive, Brandlesholme, so that other children can enjoy similar experiences.

Fundraisers have already spent seven years raising an identical sum to rebuild the church, currently based in a converted Victorian terraced house. With work on the church due to start this summer, they are now turning their attention to raising another £180,000 to rebuild the parish community centre on the site of the existing church building.

The centre could be used by youth groups, residents' associations and other community activities as well as to host plays and church events.

The campaign got off to a good start with £4,000 raised through the inaugural event at Summerseat Garden Centre.

Nikki joined ballerinas from the Debra Simmons School of Dance and magician Peter Worrall as the garden centre was transformed into the magical world of Shakespeare's classic A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Nikki said: "I have great memories of All Saints and hope all the money raised to help build a new centre will enable children to experience some great times for years to come."

Organiser Deirdre Watson said: "The evening was a great success and has given us a very encouraging start to the fundraising campaign. We could have sold twice as many tickets if there had been space.

"The garden centre created a magical forest glade for us and there were wonderful performances from everyone involved. A Midsummer Night's Dream was all about love and reaching out to the community, daring to dream and about dreams coming true."