ACTOR and producer Steve Coogan- whose work includes TV comedy character Alan Partridge and the film Philomena- will be in County Durham this week to offer some showbusiness support to an election candidate.

Steve Coogan, star of Stan & Ollie, will help Helen Goodman officially launch her campaign as the Labour candidate for the Bishop Auckland constituency in next month's general election.

Coogan, who is a well known Labour supporter, will back Ms Goodman to retain the seat she had held since 2005.

The Northern Echo: John C Riley and Steve Coogan in Stan & OllieJohn C Riley and Steve Coogan in Stan & Ollie

The launch event will take place at King James I Academy, Bishop Auckland, at 4pm on Friday and will include a screening of Coogan’s hit film, Stan & Ollie, about one of the world's most famous comedy duos with strong ties to the region. Stan Laurel, born Arthur Stanley Jefferson, spent much of his childhood in Bishop Auckland and attended King James Grammar School.

Tickets are available for £3 via Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/helen-goodman-general-election-campaign-launch-with-steve-coogan-tickets-81328296123, or by phoning Helen Goodman’s campaign office on 07599-456694.

The Northern Echo:

Helen Goodman said: “Steve Coogan is a real star and when I saw his film Stan & Ollie I thought we should bring him to Bishop, which has a special connection with Stan Laurel. So I am delighted that he is coming to support Labour’s election campaign here.

She added: “I have been campaigning with the Labour Towns group for a Town of Culture Award. And this event demonstrates why we could win.”

The candidates expected to stand for the constituency are Dehenna Davison (Conservative), Helen Goodman (Labour) Ray Georgeson (Liberal Democrats) and Nick Brown (Brexit Party).