LIVERPOOL actor Ricky Tomlinson, aka Jim Royle, swapped his string vest for a Red Cross T-shirt as he helped volunteers at the Breck Road charity shop.

The veteran actor, who is best known for his roles in The Royle Family and Brookside, chatted to customers and manned the till yesterday morning.

Ricky talked shop with customers and answered questions about his heart by-pass and doubled sales of raffle tickets.

He thanked volunteers for their efforts and signed photographs, after staff looked through the stock to give him a new string vest.

Lynne McMahon, retail manager for British Red Cross, said: “Ricky is such a star for coming along to our Breck Road shop to help us rise to the challenge of raising £1m in just two weeks.

“All the money raised will be spent on vital British Red Cross work helping vulnerable people in the UK and abroad.

“Volunteers have been working tirelessly to organise the prize draw and local residents are invited to come along to the shop and support the Red Cross.”

The shop is always looking for volunteers and anyone interested can contact shop manager Irene on 0151 263 1700.

The Red Cross has 12 shops across Merseyside which form part of a national network responsible for 11% of total funding for the British Red Cross.

It also runs a number of services in Merseyside.

To find out more about the services please ring 0151 702 5050 or visit www.redcross.org.uk/nearyou.