CCOMEDIAN Eddie Izzard was mobbed by hundreds of schoolchildren as he returned to his home town yesterday.

Eddie, 36, was in Bexhill to unveil a mosaic designed by pupils from secondary schools.

Dressed in a smart suit and donning a new goatey beard, but without his trademark lipstick and make-up, Eddie chatted to the youngsters.

His father John, who still lives in Bexhill, looked on as his son was swamped by autograph hunters.

Unveiling the mosaic at Bexhill Railway Station, he said: "When I was here Bexhill was always thought of as a place where people came to retire, so I'm glad the kids are changing this."

John, 69, a member of the town's revitalisation project, said: "Eddie has very strong Sussex roots. Having been born in Yemen he has to have his routes somewhere!"

Town bosses hope Eddie's influence will help clean up the town which is suffering at the hands of vandals and graffiti artists.

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