A star of stage and screen has pledged her support for the expansion of a Haringey school for children with cerebral palsy.

Maureen Lipman, known for her performances in theatre and film including The Pianist, backed the London Centre for Children with Cerebral Palsy’s (LCCCP) plans for a new centre at the site of the former Green Man pub in Muswell Hill.

The performer, formerly of Duke’s Avenue, Muswell Hill, and a patron of the LCCCP, said: “The centre has proved its worth to the community over many years.

“It has helped hundreds of children to achieve the very best of themselves that life can offer. The time has come to help them to bring this much needed support to thousands more.”

The new plans would provide double the existing space and new state-of-the-art facilities, allowing the LCCCP to more than double the number of children attending the school and extend the provision for Key Stage 3 pupils and beyond.

The proposals sit alongside residential plans for 28 new homes to also be built at the site, and will be considered by Haringey Council’s Planning Sub Committee on December 19.

It has been recommended for approval by the Council’s Planning Officers after more than 150 people presented a petition supporting the expansion earlier this month.