Detect the mouse pointer on the stage or not!

Is there a way in flash to detect if the mouse pointer is on the stage. If the pointer is on the stage then perform an action, i.e show buttons else if the pointer is off the stage perform an action hide buttons.

I know there is a way using a hit state, but its not a button I require but rather just the detection of the mouse in the flash scene.

Any help?

Cheers

Trev