THE ACTRESS playing arch villain Cruella de Vil in a Christmas show in Southampton has become a victim of crime herself.

Elizabeth Counsell, who stars in the Nuffield Theatre's Christmas show, 101 Dalmatians, has had her handbag stolen.

The bag contained her mobile phone and when she rang it, the thief pretended to be a policeman and asked for her bank details, which fortunately she refused to divulge.

Now Elizabeth is making a plea to the thief to return one particularly precious item.

She said: "I feel lost without my address book and desperately urge the thief to return it. It can hold no value for him so I would be incredibly grateful if he would at least give me this back. All of my friends, family and contacts are in London and I'm desperate to call them all, especially with the onset of Christmas."

The actress, best-known for her role as Victoria in TV comedy Brushstrokes, is in the midst of rehearsals, but was horrified to find she had lost her bag earlier this week somewhere on the university's Highfield campus.

"My mind is so full of learning my lines at the moment that I only realised my bag had gone when I needed something from it later in the evening. The following morning I retraced my steps but alas nothing," she said.

The thief also took jewellery which Elizabeth had originally placed in the bag to keep safe.

Police were especially concerned that when she called her phone the thief posed as a policeman called PC Weeks before asking the actress for her bank details.

"I couldn't believe it," said Elizabeth. "He should consider becoming an actor."

Despite her bad luck, the London-based actress is looking forward to entertaining Southampton audiences in the festive production.

The show runs from Thursday until January 11.

Anyone with any information on the missing bag should call The Nuffield on 023 8031 5500.

Cruella lights up WestQuay centre

THOUSANDS of people pitched up at a Southampton shopping centre to watch hundreds of Christmas lights sparkle to life.

However, the WestQuay centre was filled with hisses and boos as Cruella De Vil - star of 101 Dalmatians and dressed in full regalia - switched on the display.

Cruella seemed to enjoy herself though, with everything going to plan.

However, the biggest cheer of the night was reserved for Santa Claus himself as he arrived on a husky-pulled sled to open the centre's Christmas Grotto - being sponsored by holiday giant Butlins.

The world-famous redcoats were also on hand, bringing their own brand of fun to the occasion, including a medley of former Christmas number one hits.

The redcoats are due to be at Santa's side throughout the festive season, with the added bonus of a £50-off voucher for Butlin Holidays for everyone who visits him in his grotto.

A spokesman for WestQuay said: "It was a fun and entertaining evening and we were delighted that thousands of shoppers enjoyed it with us. Judging by the happy faces coming out of the grotto, the children certainly loved seeing Santa."