SOAP fan Vivien Unwin loves Coronation Street so much she splashed out £10,000 to appear alongside her favourite characters.

Born Vivien Lee, the Chester mum-of-three has no intention of becoming an actress.

Instead she want to help the parents of sick kids in Greater Manchester, from where she originally hails.

Vivien, 51, of Cavendish Road, off Hough Green, bid £10,000 at last Saturday’s glittering event at Manchester’s Hilton Hotel attended by the show’s Antony Cotton (Sean).

Almost £50,000 was raised on the night with funds going towards providing accommodation for parents staying with their sick children at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

Full story in Friday’s Chronicle.