A POSTER campaign has been launched to promote two charity shows in memory of North-East actor Sammy Johnson.

Tim Healy and his wife Denise Welch have taken delivery of the first of 100 posters which will appear throughout the Tyne and Wear Metro system.

Two "Sunday for Sammy" shows will be held on Sunday, February 3, at Newcastle City Hall and will feature the couple, along with Kevin Whatley, Jimmy Nail, Brendon Healy, Mike Elliot, John Miles, Lindisfarne and the Mike McNally Band among others.

Proceeds from the shows will go to the Sammy Johnson Memorial Fund, which was set up to help North-East people hoping for careers in the performing arts.

Last year, £36,000 was raised with a sell-out concert that featured a stage version of Auf Wiedersehen Pet.

Sammy Johnson - his real name was Ronnie - appeared on TV in Jimmy Nail's detective series Spender and in Auf Wiedersehen Pet. He died in 1998, aged 49, after suffering a heart attack in Spain.

Jimmy Nail said: "As an actor he was gifted and accomplished; as a man he was loyal, kind and considerate.''

Lyn Spencer, a spokeswoman for the show organisers, said: "Ticket sales are going well, but we need to sell out two shows. Once we get 100 posters up on the Metro, it should make a big difference.''

Tickets for the shows cost £16, £18 and £20 and are available from the City Hall box office, on 0191-261 2606.

Anyone interested in applying for funds should call Barbara Gubbins at the Community Foundation, on 0191-222 0945.