RICHARD BATSON Sometimes we wish she could wave a wand and change the weather. And after a panto appearance later this year, BBC weather girl Julie Reinger might just be able to magic up a bit more sunshine.

RICHARD BATSON

Sometimes we wish she could wave a wand and change the weather.

And after a panto appearance later this year, BBC weather girl Julie Reinger might just be able to magic up a bit more sunshine.

The presenter's sunny smile beams out from the highs, lows and warm fronts of the Look East weather maps most days.

But one thing she could not forecast was becoming a fairy in a professional pantomime.

However, after a giving a "celebrity" talk about her career at Sheringham Little Theatre last year, Julie has been invited back to join the cast of Beauty and the Beast over the Christmas period.

Last night she said was both "excited and a bit nervous" about the stage role.

"I did some plays during my A-level theatre studies - and always played baddies or less than savoury characters from a man-hater to a lady of the night. So I was pleased to be asked to play a fairy," said Julie, 30.