'Panto hasn't been my social life for 70 years? Oh yes it has'

Pat Milton, 90, said the secret to a long life was to "keep very active"

A 90-year-old man taking part in pantomime shows since the 1950s has said it has "been his social life for the last 70 years".

Pat Milton is a founding member of amateur dramatic society Kays Theatre Group, which was set up in 1954 by workers at a national catalogue company in Worcester.

Mr Milton, who turns 91 in January, is set to take part in the group's upcoming production of The Glass Slipper at the city's Swan Theatre in early 2025.

"I've always been an entertainer, I just loved entertaining people and making people happy," he said. "That's the secret to life."

Both Mr Milton and his wife Leah have been involved in pantomime shows by the group since its inception.

The Glass Slipper is being shown from 23 January to 2 February and Susan Sedgley, who is playing the part of Queen Esmeralda, the prince's mother, says she has known the pair for a "long time" - since she was 14.

"I've known them forever basically," she explained. "It's very very special. I think it's a testament to them that they came to every rehearsal, they have always throughout the years and obviously every show."

Mr Milton said he had to search for talent when the group first began performances at Worcester's Cooperative Hall, moving to The Swan Theatre in 1965.

Pantomime had been his "lifeblood for the past 70 years", he said.

"I shall be on the stage every performance. And I'm there every performance as I meet and greet the audience as they arrive and I've done that for years and years and years."