Queen of the songsters at the age of 76

NUMBER one hit . . . winner of the talent contest, Cookie

A STALWART vocalist was hailed the leading lady in an annual talent show for Oldham's older generation.

The winner of Age UK Oldham's glitzy Silver Stars show was 76-year-old Cookie, who has entered the contest every year since it launched in 2001.

She wowed the audience with her performance of Paul McCartney's "Ain't That A Shame" and Louis Armstrong's "What A Wonderful World" at Oldham Coliseum.

But every older resident who participated in this year's talent contest was deemed "a star" in the eyes of the organisers.

Event co-ordinator Maggie Hurley said: "Every person who walks on that stage to entertain the audience is a winner for me. The atmosphere backstage is one of real comradeship.

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"It is heart-warming to see such love and friendship between relative strangers which makes Silver Stars such a popular talent show." Ten over-60s took to the stage to sing, dance and entertain.

A panel of judges voted this year's oldest participant, 91-year-old Dougie Farrington, as runner-up after he received a standing ovation for his rendition of the Elvis track "It's Now or Never".

Maggie added: "I would like to thank everyone who came along and made the show special. It will be happening again next year ­- my feet just need about 12 months to recover."

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