A ROSSENDALE man has put his idyllic retirement on hold and travelled more than 1,000 miles for his love of amateur dramatics.

Ed Barrow, 64, from Bacup, retired late last year with his wife Helen to Madeira.

But after hearing his former Amateur Operatic Society were to perform his favourite opera, the Pirates of Penzance, he asked his wife to allow him return home to Rossendale so he could take part.

Mr Barrow said: “Helen and I are very happy in Madeira, but I have always loved Gilbert and Sullivan’s operettas.

"The chance to appear with my old chums was too good to miss.

“It has been great fun making contact with old friends while I’m here but straight after the show Helen and I are jetting back to sunnier climes.”

Mr Barrow has been a regular member of Bolton’s Rosemere Amateur Operatic Society since 2003.

He will be appearing on stage as one of the pirates in the show, which runs from March 22 to 26 at Bolton’s Albert Hall, while Mrs Barrow is due to jet in just in time to take her place in the audience.

Pirates of Penzance is a comic opera, written by Gilbert and Sullivan.

Tickets cost £12 and are available by calling Helen on 01204 300666.