Actress Joan Collins has been reunited after 16 years with the girl she comforted following a near-fatal car crash.

Brighton University student Jenny Elwell almost died aged four when a drink-driver crashed into her buggy. She had to learn to walk again.

Joan tended her during her recovery and 20-year-old Jenny finally got the chance to say thank you when she went backstage after watching the star's latest play.

Jenny, her mother, grandmother and aunt went to see Joan in her play Full Circle at the Cliffs Pavilion in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex.

The comedy by Alan Melville is due to transfer to Brighton's Theatre Royal and run from April 26 to May 1.

Jenny and her family were on holiday in Greece in 1988 when the accident happened.

When Jenny was flying back to England, Joan heard from an air hostess there was an injured child on the plane.

The former Dynasty actress spoke to her and her parents and gave her a signed photograph.

Jenny never forgot her kindness and decided to visit her.

When told who Jenny was, the actress immediately sat her down and chatted to her.

Jenny showed her Press cuttings of their first meeting and Joan asked how she was and whether she had recovered completely.

Jenny's mother Jean said: "It was absolutely fantastic. She was very warm and interested in how Jenny was doing.

"She seemed to remember, because her own daughter was ill at the time - that was why she was interested in Jenny.

"I've always been a fan of hers. A lot of celebrities don't bother."

Jenny said: "Joan was in the same plane as we were when we were flying back. She came and visited me.

"I was only four so I didn't really know who she was.

"But I felt really special afterwards, because I had the signed photograph and I was in the paper."

Jenny is studying to become a primary school teacher.