A COMMUNITY stalwart is still doing her bit for the people of Aireborough - despite having just turned 84 and an impending hip replacement operation.

Nellie Booth, of Yeadon, is an amateur actress who has been treading the boards for more than 70 years - and still hopes to return to the stage after her operation.

Mrs Booth has been a member of Yeadon Amateurs for 50 years and even when not acting, she helps to sell tickets, assists back stage or is on the door.

She has also a member of Yeadon Charities Association for almost 40 years, helping to run the popular annual free coach trips to the seaside for the town's older residents and helping to raise thousands of pounds to fund the trips.

Despite being in agony with her hip and being virtually housebound, she sold £159 worth of tickets for the association's annual pantomime last month.

She said: "I don't do it for accolades, I do it for the company and because I like talking to people.

"It keeps me young and I am very young at heart, and somebody has to cheer people up.

"I particularly enjoy the theatre - it is my life.

"I don't consider myself to have done anything special, but I do believe in living my life to the full and will be going on Yeadon Charities' trip later this year.

"Being on the stage keeps me young and keeps me occupied.

"The theatre is my life, I'm happier on stage than off it and I get to meet lots of very interesting and very nice people.

"I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't act or sing - if I live to 100 then I'll still be on the stage!"

The great-grandmother, of Hawthorn Road, said: "I would love to go back after my operation, but who knows. I might be a new woman at 84 after I've had my hip replacement."

She first started singing when she was a five-year-old living in Nottingham and has received numerous accolades over the years for both her acting and singing, including more than 50 certificates and three awards. Through acting, she has met stars like Val Doonican and Keith Harris and Orville, who have played at Yeadon Town Hall.

As well as engaging in regular correspondence with Aireborough MP Paul Truswell on a host of Aireborough issues and having a close relationship with her city councillors, Mrs Booth has also overcome her ill-health and helped hundreds of people get fire alarms installed in their homes.

"I have been working with Rawdon Fire Station for the last 12 months and I've put them in touch with as many people as I can.

"I've lost track of the number of times the fire engine's been round to the house to see me. The firemen came to do a talk at the Darby and Joan and it's something I found was really important."

And if anyone thinks Mrs Booth has any spare time on her hands at all, she has also supported the Royal National Lifeboat Institute for 20 years and has been a loyal member of Yeadon Darby and Joan for about 25 years.

She has also been working with the Royal British Legion recently.

"I don't see my age as something to hold me back," she added.

"You've got to keep going to show the other old ones what can be done."

Mrs Booth first started singing when she was a five-year-old living in Nottingham and has received numerous accolades over the years for both her acting and singing.

l Mrs Booth won the February award in Wharfedale Newspapers' Community Oscars campaign in recognition of her community work in 2000.

At the time, Mel Vasey, editor at Wharfedale Newspapers, said: "Nellie's lifetime of service to a variety of causes makes her a thoroughly deserving winner of our February award.

"It is amazing that at this time of her life she still has the energy and willingness to continue to put so much into her community."