Music fan Alisha Hanwell went all coy when her hero Shakin' Stevens handed her a prize at school.

The eight-year-old cerebral palsy sufferer would not look at him to begin with and the 1980s rock and roll star had to move to her other side before she eventually turned his way.

Shaky was at Kingfisher School, Radley Road, Abingdon, to reward Alisha for her hard work at recovering from an illness in February.

Alisha, of Linnet Close, Burcot, has been a big fan ever since she saw one of his videos when she was about a year old.

As well as cerebral palsy, she also has epilepsy and only responds to his music - including number one hits Green Door and This Ole House. Shaky, who is to tour the UK in April, said of his top fan: "It's nice. She's improved and I'm told that the records she has heard have helped, so to feel part of that is great.

"I was asked to come here and it was a nice thing to do."

Alisha's mum Mandy, stepdad Trevor Morten and brother Liam, 11, also got the chance to meet the star.

Shaky spent time with Alisha in the classroom as his music played in the background. Later he presented her with a cup for achievement in a special assembly.

Teachers rushed to get his autograph and have pictures taken with the singer, while other pupils got up and danced to his music. Mandy said: "I think it was really nice of him to come. It would have been nice if she had responded more visually but she knew he was here.

"She will only relax if his music is on and when it stopped she protested."

Learning support assistant Sara Blakeman, who managed to track down Shaky along with nursery nurse Lorna Bee, said: "I think she realised it was him because she refused to look at him. I think she was a little bit coy and was just being a typical girl."

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