Screen legend Sylvia Syms brought a smile to the faces of seven soldiers when she dropped into Colchester Garrison for a visit.
The actress, whose starred alongside John Mills in the 1950s war film Ice Cold in Alex, was in town to promote a black tie regimental dinner.
Organised by 19 Regiment, Royal Artillery, the dinner will take place on May 15 and will raise funds for SOS - the celebrity wing of Scope.
She said: "I am delighted to be able to help promote this event. We are very grateful to the Highland Gunners for hosting the dinner, and hope plenty of people will attend."
Seven members of the Highland Gunners lined up to meet Sylvia, 65, who gave a huge hug to a grinning soldier.
All the money raised at the dinner will help fund SOS's work with people with cerebral palsy in Essex.
It will take place at the garrison and tickets, costing £30 each or £55 for two, are available to the public. They can be reserved on 0171 6197207.
Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article