Lytham-born actor, Jonas Armstrong, took a break from his starring role in the hit BBC TV show to visit the Linden Centre, the newest part of Trinity Hospice.

The 27-year-old was at the centre, which offers support to bereaved children, as part of its official opening day.

The star was hugely popular and inundated with requests for photographs and autographs from the children, but said there was an important message behind his visit.

"Hopefully this will spread a bit of awareness about the centre," he said.

"It's been open for about 12 months now and it's great for a lot of the kids who maybe have had something not too pleasant happen in their lives.

"I didn't know much about this centre until about a month ago but it's great to have a look around because it's a fantastic charity.

"There are a lot of people who work here that are volunteers and take their own time to come out and try and put a bit back in which is really admirable and I'm hoping to get more involved with the project."

It wasn't just the youngsters at the centre who were delighted by the star arrival.

"He was lovely and he seems a lovely lad," cooed Rebecca Clltheroe, head of counselling support services at the centre.

"We're so glad he could come along."

The centre, which relies primarily on donations from the public, was officially opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony by the mayors of Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde earlier in the day.

And Rebecca said the launch was vital for continuing public support of the hospice and letting the public know about the service.

She said: "We set the service up in 2002 because we recognised the need for bereavement support for children across Blackpool Wyre and Fylde.

"To have support outside their immediate family and to mix with peers who may have been in similar situations can be really beneficial.

"The launch is vitally important for letting the public know all about us and really raising the profile and it was great to see so many people here."