ICE skating stars of Blackpool's hot ice show have opened a new world for Horwich woman Mrs Doreen Burgess. For 22 years Doreen has suffered from agoraphobia and claustrophobia and rarely ventured out of the house. But since her first visit to the ice show last year Doreen has found the confidence she didn't have before.

"That show showed me there was another world out there" said Doreen of Berne Avenue, "It's really brought me out of my shell."

Since then she and her son Paul have been to the show at least 12 times and intend going again before the season ends on November 4.

It all started when Doreen's doctor advised a holiday last year when she was suffering from depression and panic attacks. Eventually Paul persuaded her to go to Blackpool but she was so nervous she couldn't even pack a suitcase and carried her clothes in plastic sacks.

At the hotel she was given two complimentary tickets for the ice show by a family from Leigh.

"I thought, me go to a show, you must be kidding. What about all those crowds."

But she plucked up the courage and after being given an aisle seat she anxiously awaited the start of the show. "I started watching and forgot all about where I was. The sheer delight that show gave me was unbelievable."

Paul, who lives with his mother and drives her when she forces herself to go out, could not believe the transformation.

"I was astounded at how much better she was," he said.

From then Doreen started telling everyone she met how wonderful the show was and had made many friends in the process. She and Paul have even got to know some of the skating stars, in particularly Victor Mytnik and Valeria Tishler , European acrobatic champions.

Doreen and Paul have presented an engraved trophy in the shape of an ice boot to the company, which sits on the stage manager's desk as a token of appreciation of the joy they have experienced. For the special friends Victor and Valeria they bought a pre war plaque showing two skaters, which they have also had engraved.

Doreen and Paul went to see the show again on Monday. Doreen felt unwell over the weekend but shrugged it off to go. "I didn't feel ill when I was there" she said.

"It is like another world. They give so much happiness. I feel a lot better when I come out," added Paul.

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