A NORTH-EAST pensioner is top of the pops after being crowned one of the country's most talented elderly popstars.

Rose Bottomley, 64, from Saltburn, east Cleveland, came second in the Silver Stars Talent Contest, proving age is no barrier when it comes to showbiz.

She was one of 17 battling it out in front of an audience of 2,000 at Southport Theatre, Merseyside, yesterday.

The grandmother-of-two said: "I am really pleased and I tried my very, very best. I think I have done well for the North-East."

Mrs Bottomley, who runs a 24-strong choir and has recently graduated from university with a bachelor's degree in English, would now like to record a CD.

She said: "It was lovely performing in front of 2,000 people and it would be nice to go on to record a CD. It is something I would really like to do."

Silver Stars was billed as Britain's biggest amateur contest for the over 60s.

Valerie McConnell, editor of the Yours magazine, which organised the competition, said: "The standard was enormously high and Rose did so well coming second. I think she really is a star performer. There were lots of wonderful singers from all over the country, so coming second is a remarkable achievement."