Bruce Jones has helped Conwy United

Bruce Jones, who plays Les Battersby in the ITV1 soap, recently became a shareholder in Conwy United, in north Wales.

His influence is already being felt, with fund raising events being organised to pay off the club's debts, estimated at more than �100,000.

Conwy United ran into financial problems several years ago when the team was in the League of Wales.

Club treasurer Cecil Jones said the star's support had effectively saved the club from disaster.

Officials hope Bruce Jones' impact will see the team's finances back in the black later this year.

Being a high profile star, he is bound to create a lot of interest Cecil Jones, Conwy United treasurer

The actor developed links with the club after buying a home in Conwy, where he pursues his love of sailing when he is not filming.

Mr Jones said he joined the club because he wanted to put something back into the town, particularly the club's youth sides.

Now the Corrie star wants to see the club develop from the minor leagues to play in the League of Wales again.

Among the events organised to ease the club's financial woes was a football match between the team and a Coronation Street XI, which proved a hit with fans of the soap.

'Considerable debts'

Plans are also underway to pay for refurbish Conwy United's clubhouse.

Other celebrities who have joined clubs include Elton John at Watford and Gary Lineker at his former club Leicester City.

"Being a high profile star, he is bound to create a lot of interest and he will have access to a lot of fund- raising activities to help the club out of its current dilemma.

"We have managed to chip a bit off the debts but it still stands as a considerable figure."