Actress Lynda Bellingham took time out from appearing in Calendar Girls on stage in Birmingham to pay a visit to a Black Country charity.

Lynda, an ambassador for children’s charity Barnardo’s, met young people and staff at Black Country Wheels.

The project provides vocational and practical mechanical skills for young people living in Dudley who are excluded or struggling in mainstream education.

Lynda, who is appearing in Calendar Girls at the Hippodrome, was given a tour of the site in Stourbridge. Lynda, who was recently seen in Strictly Come Dancing, said: “Everyone is working together to change young peoples’ lives. “

She also met a team from Eversheds law firm who raised £42,000 for Barnardo’s.

Ben Carpenter, Barnardo’s fundraiser, said: “Last year 22 teams took the Apprentice Challenge and raised more than £21,000 in 21 working days and the Eversheds Charitable Trust match funded it.”