MULTI-TALENTED pensioner Joyce Hope has quick-stepped her way into a role in her first pantomime -- as Cinderella -- at the age of 65.

Dedicated Joyce will be taking to the stage as Cinders in February and also took up line dancing as another challenge for the Guiding Association's Discovery Award.

Joyce, who retired as Brown Owl with the 52nd St Luke's Brownies last year after 29 years with the organisation, rose to the challenge of the award after she started to miss being involved with the Guides and Brownies.

The bronze award, aimed at the over 50s, took her a year to complete and included aspects of theatre, community service and history.

So she threw herself into the part, taking up theatre and line dancing.

She said: "It will be the first time I have ever been on stage. am getting a little bit nervous about it but it should be a good atmosphere as it's in a working men's club. I have two songs to sing, one with Buttons."

A regular volunteer with Age Concern, active Joyce also took up the line dancing regularly to complete the award and also wrote a potted history of Blackburn, which took her four months to compile.

But just two days after receiving the award, she already has her sights set on the next level and plans to start research on her first project for the silver Discovery Award this week.

She said: "I am still a volunteer with the Guiding association, although I was never a Guide or a Brownie myself.

"When I retired, I kept saying I wanted to do something, so eventually someone said about this award.

"It is for the over 55s and I'm 65, but that wasn't a problem.

"I have learnt quite a lot about Blackburn.

"I was working on the history for four months, going to the library and the museum.

"It was a lot of work.

"Doing the line dancing was good too.

"I've been dancing before, but not line dancing."

She was presented with the award by Blackburn commissioner for the Guiding Association, Anne Wright, at a service in St Luke's Church.