KIDS today live in a whirlwind of touch screen technology and high powered games machines.

But traditional family entertainment still has an important place, reckons CBeebies presenter Chris Jarvis.

Chris and Pui Fan Lee are bringing their children's road show to the Parr Hall on Sunday.

"I think the key is to not underestimate children," said Chris, who made his name presenting In The Broom Cupboard in the 90s.

"A lot of people think just because they now have things like Nintendo 3DS they aren’t like we were.

"That is true to some extent as they are probably much brighter. I’ve just had someone half my age tell me how a bit of software works.

"But I think that’s a new talent rather than meaning they won’t enjoy some of the more old fashioned entertainment we used to find interesting.

"I’ve changed my act but I haven’t changed the way I talk to children and I never will because I know that children fundamentally haven’t changed."

Chris also told Weekend he enjoys how diverse the world of children's entertainment has become.

"Everyone has their own way of doing it," he added.

"What children’s entertainers do with balloons, magic and games is as valid as what The Muppets and Sesame Street do to entertain children.

"It’s all very different. I’m a variety performer and Pui has an acting background. She was in films like Bridget Jones and I went to Butlins.

"So we’ve come from different places but together we’ve found our own way too."

The Chris and Pui Show sees classic characters from children's stories come to life on the stage like the Ugly Duckling, the Gingerbread Man, Little Bo Peep, the Grand Old Duke of York, Humpty Dumpty and Cinderella.

But the duo have a trick up their sleeve for the sixth road show.

"We have a bit more magic this time," said Chris, who has appeared in The Demon Headmaster and ChuckleVision.

"We’ve used the services of a double act called Twins FX. They design illusions like the flying Daleks for the BBC Proms.

"They’re amazing and their warehouse is just full of Spitting Image puppets, costumes from Doctor Who and Star Wars and all kinds of things they have worked with over the years.

"But they have kids who like Chris and Pui which is great. So they’ve been building for us. We don’t have any Daleks. There is nothing scary in our show at all.

"But what we do have is a wonderful colour illusion that they’ve created for the end of the first half."

Chris was inspired to become a children's entertainer by his parents, Valerie and Colin, who were both teachers.

"I used to go in and help my mum and read to kids," added the 44-year-old.

"She later became the head teacher and loved the way she worked on two levels in assemblies. She would entertain the other teachers and the parents and the teaching assistants in the audience as much as the kids.

"I also noticed when they laughed the children laughed as well and there was such a thing as infectious humour which I found very interesting."

Chris got his break working on a teenage magazine show called Fully Booked. He presented alongside Tim Vincent and Gail Porter.

He said: "That was wonderful because I got to meet so many stars like Graham Fellows, who plays John Shuttleworth, and bands like the Divine Comedy.

"We got to go to Monte Carlo and Florida. That was brilliant but at the end of the day I’m not sure if it was my forte talking to stars as I’m hardly cool and it’s not really my thing.

"I’m more of a clown than an interviewer so I feel most comfortable doing what I do now."

- The Chris and Pui Show is at the Parr Hall on Sunday. Visit pyramidparrhall.com or call 442345.

DAVID MORGAN