Hayley gets a private laughter show from Rolf

Hundreds of people turned up to see the singer-cum-artist-cum-presenter Rolf Harris performing to help raise money for the school's new entertainment centre.

Some 1,000 Rolfaroo fans listened to old favourites including 'Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport', 'Sun A Rise' and 'Two Little Boys'.

And parties came from Leicestershire, Devon, Oxford, Hertfordshire, Essex, London and even from Scotland to enjoy the action.

All money raised will go to the new performing arts centre at Battle Abbey School and will be used to kit out the interior with lighting, sound systems and a small recording studio.

Among the crowd was little Hayley Okines, who got a private audience with the star during the interval. He spent some 20 minutes with the seven-year-old from Sidley, who has the ageing disease Progeria, making up songs and making her laugh!

Her mother Kerry said the family - including dad Mark and Louis, 3 - had a great evening.

She added: "I didn't realise he was so comical. Hayley really really enjoyed herself, she was laughing and clapping her hands."

Rolf himself said: "I really enjoyed it, it is a marvellous venue and there was a fantastic audience reaction."

He also commented on the "wonderful painting" in the Great Hall and said he had loved the school buildings.

Picture: Tony Payton