AT an age when many are happy to put their feet up, Oldham-born Betty Webster is treading the stage.

Betty, 79, takes the lead role in The Greek, which can be seen at The Met in Bury tonight and next Thursday.

She plays a cantankerous but loveable pensioner in Lewis Charlesworth's new play.

"I'm enjoying it, and find the script very funny," says the grandmother of nine.

Her character, Mary, is the grandmother of James, played by playwright Charlesworth.

Described as a Brexit play without the politics, the comedy drama is about ordinary, northern, working class people set in 2015 when everyone was talking about all the issues surrounding the referendum.

It is the latest role for Betty whop began her acting career by helping at in student productions at local theatres.

Since then she has also made television appearances with Jane Horrocks and Dave Spikey, and can soon be seen in a sketch on Eight out of Ten Cats Does Countdown.

"I really enjoy it," she said. "I enjoy meeting lots of different people and having fun. When I retired from being a clerk I was determined to do something worthwhile."

Explaining his inspiration for the play, Lewis said: "It’s a combination of what was going on culturally and socially combined with my experiences of being a mixed-race kid growing up in Bolton and my relationship with my own grandmother. She was a very complex character who would say certain things that you wouldn’t agree with but you still loved her.

“The play’s about not judging people for their views. Just because they have a certain opinion it doesn’t mean they’re a horrible person. It’s an optimistic story in that it highlights, through humour, our shared humanity rather than focusing on differences.

You can see The Greek at 7.30pm tonight and next Thursday. Tickets are available at The Met, Bury on 0161 761 2216