GUESTS at a Greenock charity's fundraising night were stunned when Line of Duty star Martin Compston made a surprise visit.

The star posed for pictures and chatted with members of Friends4Ever at a Motown fundraiser in The Exchange last Saturday.

Martin had bumped into members of the group who were taking a break outside the Greenock restaurant and made a spur of the moment decision to join in with the fun.

The group, which organises activities for children and young people with additional support needs, raised £2,390 from the charity do.

Chairperson Alison Bethel told the Tele that Martin's visit had been the 'icing on the cake' for the organisation, who'd previously had to postpone the fundraiser due to the pandemic.

She said: "My son Aaron and Connor, who also attends our group, had stepped outside for some fresh air.

"We went to check on them because they'd been out a while, and there they were chatting to Martin Compston.

"He asked what was going on and I told him we were having our fundraiser with Men of Motown, then I asked him inside.

"Him and his wife were both so lovely, he was chatting away to all the kids.

"Everyone was so starstruck when he walked in, but they got over it very quickly - he ended up mobbed by women wanting to talk to him.

"It was one of those 'oh my God' moments where you can't believe what's happening."

After arriving at the fun night, Martin was mobbed by admirers and fans.

But Alison said that the star made time to take pictures with all of the children and young people who attend the group.

She added: "People were so keen to see him that I had to take him outside the main room to a stairwell so the kids could get pictures with him.

"I felt like a bouncer trying to keep people out while they chatted to him and got photos.

"I don't know how we're going to match that next year, we'll have to get Brad Pitt!

"I asked him if he was doing another season of Line of Duty, but he just laughed and winked at me.

"The kids had an absolute ball, they were over the moon to get a picture with him.

"It's great that he still goes out in Greenock and talks to people despite his success, he's obviously not forgotten where he came from.

"We had a fantastic night and him coming in was the icing on the cake.

"The fundraiser was meant to be held before Covid and had to be delayed, but luckily the Men of Motown honoured our booking.

"I just want to say a massive thank you to everyone who helped and took part, it means so much to us."