A CHARACTER actress famous for playing strong older women never frightened to speak their mind is calling for fellow pensioners to be nominated as Diamond Champions.

Patricia Routledge, fondly known to millions as TV’s pretentious Hyacinth “Bucket” Bouquet in Keeping Up Appearances, and a frumpy detective in Hetty Wainthropp Investigates, is backing a search by the Women's Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS) to find volunteers in their prime who make a real difference to others’ lives across the North-East and the UK.

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall are patrons of the hunt for the Diamond Champions in recognition of the important and valuable role played by men and women over 60 in their local communities.

“Older people are too often sidelined but we have a voice,” said the 83-year-old, who boasts a career in television, radio, film and theatre spanning 60 years.

“I knew I wanted to be involved in this as older people give back so much to society through volunteering. I think it changes lives. There can be a temptation for widows and widowers to close in on themselves but the answer is to look outward and that is exactly what being a Diamond Champion recognises.”

The WRVS is a charity with more than 40,000 volunteers who help elderly people remain independent in their homes by providing services including Meals on Wheels, Home from Hospital and community transport.

Six entries will be shortlisted for each region by a judging panel, and 480 chosen volunteers will be presented with a specially designed badge and certificate before a select ten from each region will be invited to a Royal residence to meet Prince Charles and Camilla in the autumn.

“I think Hetty Wainthropp would have liked to be nominated as a Diamond Champion as even though she was concerned with sleuthing she had a sense of community,” added Miss Routledge, who was made OBE in 1993 and CBE in 2004. “Both of them would have been very pleased to have been invited to one of the Royal residences, especially that ‘Bucket’ woman.”

To nominate a Diamond Champion, visit wrvs. org. uk or fill in the nomination form.