TV SOAP star Gary Mallett has stepped in at the last minute to open this weekend's Barnoldswick Gala after a chance meeting in the town.

Organisers were beginning to fear they would have no star to open the annual gala, which attracts 10,000 people, for the first time since 1970.

But the Coronation Street actor who plays the part agreed to fill the gap after a chance meeting in Barnoldswick and some quick thinking by Dale Frankland, a member of Barnoldswick and Earby Round Table which organises the event.

Gary, whose real name is Ian Mercer, was shopping in Barnoldswick when he was spotted by Dale.

"I just went up to him, introduced myself and asked him what he was doing this Saturday," said Dale.

"In the end I think it was the fact that his son wanted to have a go in the helicopter we lay on to bring in the show opener from Blackpool that swung it.

"We struggled to find anyone this year to open the gala and when Ian rang back and confirmed he would do it for us we were very pleased and grateful to him for agreeing."

Ian will drive from his home in Oldham to Blackpool tomorrow and stay at the seaside resort overnight before being flown into Barnoldswick to open the gala on Saturday.

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