SCHOOL support assistant Pat Jones will have the tables turned on her tonight when she undergoes a spelling test on national TV.

Mrs Jones, 67, of Bridgefield Street, Hapton, spends most of her time keeping her eye on pupils at Gawthorpe High School, Padiham.

But she will go under the spotlight tonight when she appears on the 'Richard & Judy' show.

She first got involved with the show when people were asked to ring in to form a citizens' panel.

Mrs Jones said: "They asked people of all ages from all over the country to be on this panel.

"You had to say what your interests were and give your details and they ring you up now and again to ask your opinions on various subjects for a TV poll. They can be serious subjects like the war or zany things like spelling, which is what this one is about. This time I've been invited to go on the show which is live.

"I got a message on Friday to ring the lady at the show back and she asked me if I could spell.

"She asked me to spell things like rhythm, associate and professional and I got them all right.

"They are going to get three older people and three university graduates and quiz us on our spelling to see who is best."

Mrs Jones and her husband Allan were being treated to an all-expenses paid trip to London Euston today, followed by a chauffeur-driven car to the studio. The show will be broadcast today at 5pm on Channel 4.

Mrs Jones, who graduated from Open University with a BSc (Hons) in Sociology, said: "I am really looking forward to it. I am a bit nervous but not about going on TV because you can sort of divorce yourself from the cameras.

"I am more bothered about making a fool of myself. If I do I'll just laugh it off but I'll be mad inside.

"I'm looking forward to meeting Richard and Judy as well to see what they are really like. She seems lovely."