SOAP stars and glamour models joined Premiership footballers for the opening of one of Hampshire's newest bars last night.

Among the handful of celebrities who turned up for the opening of Bambuu Bar in Southampton was former Brookside star Jennifer Ellison.

She turned up with her former on-screen husband Philip Olivier, known as Tinhead. Also there was Saints and England striker James Beattie, who it was revealed last month has just signed an advertising deal with menswear company Burton.

He mingled with other guests who are thought to have included players from Portsmouth Football Club and glamour model Lucy Pinder from Winchester.

Southampton's latest nightspot, opened at the city's Leisure World complex, also attracted Coronation Street stars Jimmi Harkishin, who plays shopkeeper Dev Alahan, and Ryan Thomas, who plays Jason Grimshaw.

They arrived in a stretch limousine from the De Vere Grand Harbour Hotel with ex-EastEnders actor Dean Gaffney.

The bar is the latest in a series of ventures for director Michael Richards, who also opened Bar Blue in Portsmouth and Bournemouth. The bar, officially opens to the public tonight and has had almost £1m of investment ploughed into it.

Mr Richards said: "To be honest I tend to look forward to the public openings the most. The proof of the pudding is the public's reaction and hopefully they will have a good time.''