Former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell and a host of other celebrities make guest appearances in the 3,000th edition of the children's comic The Beano.

The landmark issue of the comic also features Brooklyn Beckham, the son of Posh Spice and soccer star David Beckham, Boyzone's Ronan Keating and comic Ken Dodd.

This week's special edition features sketches in which celebrities appear alongside the famous Beano character judged most like them.

The celebrity matches were chosen by some 4,000 of the comic's readers who cast their votes on the Beano website.

Pop star Geri Halliwell narrowly beat EastEnder Patsy Palmer to feature as Minnie the Minx's opposite number.

Virgin DJ Chris Evans appears as Dennis the Menace, while Brooklyn Beckham changes sexes to become Dennis' baby sister, Bea.

Rowan Atkinson, as Mr Bean, is lined up as Calamity James, although Manchester United's Gary Neville - whose errors helped Vasco da Gama to their 3-1 victory over the Reds in Rio - got some late votes.

Del Boy, from BBC TV's Only Fools and Horses, appears with Roger the Dodger, despite facing stiff competition from Tory peer Lord Archer.

Elsewhere Linford Christie is likened to Billy Whizz and soccer stars Alan Shearer and Michael Owen feature with Ball Boy.

Veteran comedian Ken Dodd appears with the gruesome dogs, Gnasher and Gnipper, while pop heart-throb Ronan Keating shares some fun with the goofy Plug.

Euan Kerr, the editor of Beano, which has been running continuously since 1938, commented: "In the past we have featured personalities like Tony Blair and Mr Motivator.

"All these people have been delighted to appear in the comic, so we thought that this competition among celebrities was a good idea to mark this great occasion for Beano - moving into its third millennium well ahead of the rest of mankind."