SUPPORT for a nine-year-old girl with a muscle-wasting disease has spread across the globe - with help from a few celebrities.

Coronation Street stars Kym Marsh and Julie Hesmondhalgh and comedian Johnny Vegas have been out and about wearing Carrie-on fighting wristbands for Carrieanne North, who has a form of congenital myopathy known as Ryr1 gene change.

The charitable fund set up by the family has now raised £6,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign.

Carrieanne’s dad Mark, of Edge Green Lane, Golborne, said: “The support from celebrities is fantastic. Julie who played Hayley Cropper in Coronation Street had our wristband on when she picked up her National Television Award, which we didn't know about until she was on stage.

“We honestly don't know why so many celebrities have taken to us but we have some big ideas for this year and hopefully the cause will spread.

“We have been given a plate designed by Johnny Vegas himself which is fantastic. We really don't know what has captured their hearts but we are so grateful as we know it is helping not only us but hundreds of other people.

“People are now helping us from all over and we have set up our own fundraising packs. Wristbands are being sold all over the place, even in Australia, Canada and Greece thanks to family members.”

Former Hearsay star Kym Marsh is due to appear on ITV show The Cube this spring, and has chosen to donate her winnings to the Golborne Community School pupil’s fund.

The family are in the process of organising a pedal boat race down the canal near Leigh in July but are appealing for support from companies which would be willing to supply boats.

For more details visit www.facebook.com/pages/Carrieon-fighting.