AFTER her television appearance in Dr Who, actress Maureen Lipman took time out to open a fete at a home for disabled people in Brampton. Maureen, who is remembered by many for her role as Beattie in the BT adverts, opened the fete at The Leonard Cheshir

AFTER her television appearance in Dr Who, actress Maureen Lipman took time out to open a fete at a home for disabled people in Brampton.

Maureen, who is remembered by many for her role as Beattie in the BT adverts, opened the fete at The Leonard Cheshire Manor Home on Sunday.

She told the crowd: "I'm here to support my friend Quentin, who is a resident at The Manor, and I think if he asked me to do a Polar expedition I probably would."

The actress who won a best supporting actress award for her performance in the 1983 film, Educating Rita, mingled with crowd at the fete, which was held to help raise money for a new £10,000 hydra bath.

It was a far cry from her most recent TV role, which saw her go sci-fi for Dr Who.

She said: "It was a lot of fun playing a scary woman, it's just a shame I didn't get to meet any of the cast as I only spent one day filming.

"I've had lots of people talking Dr Who to me, and I promise I won't take anyone's face off today."

She was also full of praise for the workers at The Leonard Cheshire home: "The people who work here are fantastic and the people who live here have a great spirit."

Maureen also proved to be a good spirit for the centre, as profits at the fete were up.

Billie Smith, volunteer and centre co-ordinator, said: "The fete usually raises £2,000 but this year we raised just over £3,000, which is fantastic and all the residents had a brilliant time.

"I think it helped that Maureen was there."

Maureen said she was looking to forward to having a break from acting and instead caring for a new puppy.

The fete was held to coincide with National Volunteer Week and Leonard Cheshire Manor Week.

INFORMATION: The Manor offers services to 20 disabled adults who are cared for by 28 volunteers. To find out more visit www.leonard-cheshire.org or phone 01480 413737.