BY CATHERINE JONES

12:00 - 18 June 2002

Lauren Seatherton is dancing for joy after the Echo helped arrange for her to meet her pop idol Michael Jackson.

Michael and his pal - Exeter City Football Club boss Uri Geller - had a private chat with talented dancer Lauren, 15, who is fighting blood-related cancer lymphoma.

The Clyst Vale Community College pupil, who lives in Widgery Road, Whipton, now has photographs to treasure of her unique meeting with the 'King of Pop' during his appearance at St James's Park on Friday.

He had been invited by psychic and TV celebrity Uri to raise cash for charities helping young people.

Angela Whitt, the mother of one of Lauren's dance class friends, Chloe, contacted the Echo to see if Lauren could meet her idol.

Lauren had to take a year off from dancing during her illness.

Even though she still receives treatment, she has just won her first comeback contest - the European under-16s street-dance competition in Somerset.

The football club was only too happy to help and arranged for Lauren to go backstage. There were no guarantees that Lauren would meet the megastar - but Michael Jackson made her dreams came true.

Lauren said: "I went backstage and then me and my mum sat in our seats.

"We thought we wouldn't get to meet Michael Jackson. Then all of a sudden this lady took me to a room and he was there.

"I started to cry because I was so amazed. I was so shocked, I was shaking.

"I told him about copying his 'Thriller' dance at the Northcott Theatre and he said 'Wow!' and was asking me all about my dancing."

Michael and Uri also chatted to Lauren about overcoming her illness.

"Uri was a lovely man," she said. "He told me to use my mind and to believe in getting better.

"Michael even gave me a hug when we had our photo taken. My friends couldn't believe it when I told them."

Lauren is now looking forward to competing in another street-dancing contest in two weeks' time.

Her mother Julie Ainscough said: "Lauren was in tears because she was so emotional."

Football club joint chairman John Russell said: "When we took Lauren into the room to meet Michael, she turned to one side and saw him directly in front of her. She was so shocked that she had her hands up to her face.

"Michael and Uri were both encouraging her to keep fighting her illness."

He added: "When I think of what the day meant to young people like Lauren, it brings tears to my eyes.

"It makes all the staff's hard work and preparation for Michael's visit worthwhile."