Bardot's deal to save stray dogs

Former screen siren Brigitte Bardot has signed a deal with the mayor of Bucharest to save around 100,000 stray dogs from death.

The French actress, who now devotes most of her time to animal welfare, has agreed to donate $150,000 over two years to help sponsor a sterilisation programme.

Dogs in the Romanian capital's pound were originally going to be put down but Bardot believes people will want to adopt sterilised animals.

Bardot said: "We have to convince the people of Bucharest who are dog lovers, to treat their dogs like they treat their children and not just let them roam the streets."

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Baby for street actress

Former Coronation Street actress Denise Welch has given birth to a boy at a Manchester hospital.

Her husband, actor Tim Healy, was at her side to assist in the delivery of 7lb 3oz Louis Vincent on Friday.

The couple, and their 10-year-old son Matthew, are said to be "over the moon" at the new addition to the family.

Welch, who played Rovers Return owner Natalie Barnes, quit the soap last year before realising she was pregnant.

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Baby son for Bond star

Actor Pierce Brosnan's fiancée, author and journalist Keely Shaye Smith, has given birth to the couple's second son in Los Angeles.

Paris Beckett Brosnan was born on Tuesday, said the 007 star's publicist.

The couple - who plan to marry this summer - already have a three-year-old son, Dylan Thomas Brosnan.

Brosnan also has a teenage son, Sean, from the 10-year marriage which ended when his wife Cassandra died in 1991.

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Festival premières Enemy at the Gates

The Bradford Film Festival will open on Thursday night with the UK première of upcoming wartime blockbuster Enemy at the Gates.

The film features British stars Jude Law, Joseph Fiennes, Bob Hoskins and Rachel Weisz in a story inspired by true life and set against the siege of Stalingrad in World War II.

Overall, more than 200 movies will be shown during the course of the festival, which runs until 17 March.

Other UK firsts include Kevin Costner's Cuban missile crisis movie, Thirteen Days, Robert De Niro in Men of Honor and the new 70mm print of Kubrick's legendary 2001: A Space Odyssey.

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Louise rejoins the Guides

Singer Louise is returning to her childhood roots by rejoining the Guide Association, this time as an ambassador.

The pop star will talk to Guides about a career in music, family values, their future aims, and become involved with fundraising events such as concerts.

"Being a Brownie and a Guide were part of my childhood and it's great to belong again," the 26-year-old said.

An association spokesman said she was "the perfect role model".

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Josie Lawrence to star in West End

Fat Friends actress Josie Lawrence is to take over the starring role of Anna in the West End stage hit The King And I.

Lawrence will replace Elaine Paige who leaves at the end of her contract in April, after a year starring as the teacher who wins the heart of the King of Siam.

The actress is known for her role in ITV slimming drama Fat Friends and Channel 4's Whose Line Is It Anyway as well as being an accomplished stage actress and comedienne.

She will take over the role at the London Palladium on 24 April.