A pensioner who thought she was going to miss out on seeing her favourite singer Daniel O'Donnell was granted her Christmas wish after all.

Marie Wood, 80, known as Mar, who lives in Kemp Town, looks forward to the concert at the Brighton Centre every year but looked to have missed out because tickets sold so quickly.

But when Steve Piper, head of venues for Brighton and Hove City Council, heard her plight he offered two special tickets for the show.

Staff at the Royal Spa Nursery School - where Mar regularly reads to children - had heard what happened and contacted the venue.

She was presented with the tickets at the nursery in Queen's Park, Brighton, yesterday.

Head teacher Liz Taylor said: "Mar was so thrilled when she got the news. She looks forward to the concert so much every year.

"She has been one of our regular volunteers for five years and the children love to listen to her read to them.

"She is also very good at helping them to settle in when they first come to the nursery school."

The concert takes place on December 14.