BLACK Country comedy star Doreen Tipton brought pre-Christmas cheer to Brierley Hill Market today (Thursday).

The popular Lazy Cow character, who started out life as an internet video star thought up by Quarry Bank writer and film-maker David Tristram, visited the market on her grand tour of the area as she shot scenes for Doreen's Black Country DVD earlier in the year.

She spent hours at the market - meeting and greeting stallholders and shoppers, and she proved such a hit that caretaker Frank Chamberlain invited her back again to sign copies of the new DVD.

Doreen, who is played by Walsall actress Gill Jordan, said: "Frank invited us back to do a DVD and book signing, we're performing at the civic hall over the road so this was the perfect opportunity."

Frank said Doreen had "done a great job" in helping to boost the market's profile and he added: "When she filmed the DVD she came in for three hours - all the stallholders got involved and were part of it.

"Doreen is absolutely fantastic, she's a real friend of the market."

Doreen is currently touring her new show 'Doreen: Rise of the Yam-Yam' before starting rehearsals for Jack and the Beanstalk at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre in which she stars as herself this year after winning a best newcomer award for her role as The Lazy Empress in last year's Aladdin.

Details of forthcoming shows can be found online at doreen.tv - and people can also buy copies of Doreen's Black Country DVD from the website or the DVD stall in Brierley Hill Market.