LOCAL TV Legend Fred Dinenage has become a patron at the Kings Theatre in Portsmouth.

Fred told the Daily Echo: "I am thrilled to have been appointed a patron of the iconic Kings Theatre. I've sat in the audience at the Kings for so many years, from my first visit as a child with my family on holiday from our home in Birmingham in the fifties to now. I've sat enthralled in the audience with my own children, and now my grandchildren!"

Fred is best known for presenting the regional news on ITV Meridian Tonight as well as the long-running children' show How which he presented from 1966 to 1981 and again from 1990 to 2006.

Armand Gerrard the Creative Director at the Kings Theatre said:

"As a well known and iconic presenter, the Kings felt it was time to ask Fred to become a patron of this wonderful theatre. His unwavering support over the years continues as he actively helps the theatre succeed in its aspirational and strategic approach to the cultural vision of Portsmouth: we are all very proud to have him as our new patron."