AN entertainer who is famous for singing the comedy song Nobody Loves A Fairy When She's Forty is celebrating her 88th birthday - and still appearing on stage.

Eileen Young, of Graham Court, Darlington, is a concert party stalwart and supported the town's operatic society since it was formed at the end of the Second World War, but started her stage career in 1932. She has appeared in 48 society shows.

She has been a performer for so long that a special category of award, a 70-year stud, has been introduced by the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (Noda).

Eileen now restricts her support to selling lots of tickets, but will be on stage again for an award ceremony on the last night of the society's Fiddler On The Roof, which runs at Darlington Civic Theatre from October 23 until November 2.

She said: "I've had a wonderful life. I had problems in my early life, but I believe that God gave me the talent to entertain to make up for it."

Eileen was recently booked to appear at Sherburn Methodist Church Hall and admits she's still "spending a fortune on props".

"I'm lucky I've still got my memory and I only entertain when I'm asked. I have a lot of concert friends, but I'll know when the time has come to stop," said the woman who is known to operatic members as Auntie Eileen.

At just 4ft 10in, she seems always destined to play comedy and is renowned for reciting monologues and making appearances at chapel concerts all over the country.

For box office details about Fiddler On The Roof call (01325) 467017 or (01325) 486555.