Lymington actor Sam Hiller left London's theatreland for a starring role in his hometown.
Sam, currently appearing in Phantom of the Opera, visited The Quay Hole to present more than £1,600 to a charity that helps disabled children.
The shop, which sells gifts and confectionery, held a grotto in the three weeks before Christmas. Almost 200 children paid £2 each to see Father Christmas. Half of the money went towards the cost of a gift that every youngster received and the rest was donated to the First Opportunities Group.
Money from the grotto and associated fundraising events raised a total of £1,650 for the New Milton based pre-school.
Shop owner Suzanne Ansell said: "We were £15 down on last time, but the 2003 figure included a £500 donation from a Lymington businessman, so if you take that into account we did brilliantly.
"Sam Hiller opened the gro-tto in December and retur-ned to present the cheque."
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