ACTION-GRAN Joan Matthews took a break from keep fit and craft demonstrations to show everyone else how it's done.

Mrs Matthews, 70, of Blackpool Old Road, Highfurlong, won the Blackpool heat of a competition to find the most active retiree.

Now she has the chance to compete for a £500 first prize in the grand final of the contest, organised by retirement homebuilders McCarthy and Stone.

It was Mrs Matthews' caring nature and unselfish approach to helping others which impressed the judges.

Not only does she voluntarily run two weekly craft groups, she helps children at Poulton's St John's School with crafts too.

Until last year Joan ran an exercise class at Thornton clinic, which she had done for 15 years.

She still starts her craft classes at Christ the King and the English Martyrs churches with a ten-minute keep fit session.

Entered for the contest by her daughter, Judith, the sprightly septuagenarian said: "I'd done classes at the school ever since my children were young, but when my husband died ten years ago I threw myself into doing more of them to fill in the time."

Her three children are also proud of the fact that she learned to drive at 60, when her husband was ill with motor-neurone disease, passing the test first time.

Now she gives demonstrations to clubs and societies to raise funds for research into the disease.

She was presented with her silver salver by Robin Pike, marketing executive for McCarthy and Stone, at the company's Lemon Tree Court development at Starr Gate.

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