EDDIE IZZARD - IZZARD WINS FAIRY ROLE

British comedian-turned-actor EDDIE IZZARD will voice an 8,000-year-old fairy in his next movie role.

The VELVET GOLDMINE star will line up alongside British favourites KENNETH BRANAGH and TARA FITZGERALD in E NESBITT's kid's classic FIVE CHILDREN AND IT.

Funding for the project - which is being tipped as a rival to magical franchise HARRY POTTER - will come from the UK's Lottery money distributed through the FILM COUNCIL's Premiere Fund.

In the movie - which will utilise the production skills of JIM HENSON's Creature Shop - five children dig up a fairy who helps them fulfil their dreams.