VETERAN actor George Cole makes his Malvern Theatres debut in the guise of a grumpy old man.

Mr Cole, 79, best known as wheeler dealer Arthur Daley in the TV series Minder, plays a character who argues with his neighbours in Party Piece.

He said it was the first time he would play a character his own age.

The action takes place in the back gardens of two terraced houses. When the social-climbing couple next door have a barbecue, tensions rise on both sides of the fence.

Mr Cole said the audience should expect some laughs from the show - and to recognise one or other of the neighbours.

Although he has played a wide range of serious and comic roles in his career, Mr Cole said he preferred appearing in comedies because it was always nice to hear people laugh.

He only has good memories of playing Arthur Daley: "I thought he was a wonderful character. Playing him wasn't like work, it was such fun."

He remains good friends with Minder co-star Dennis Waterman, who played Daley's bodyguard Terry McCann in the show.

"He came to see me in Party Piece in Windsor and we were going on to Eastbourne and he said 'Watch out for the girls on the beach, they'll be older than you!'"

Mr Cole is also famous as Flash Harry in the St Trinian's films about naughty school-girls.

"St Trinian's was wonderful, it was great fun but the first film in 1952 was so long ago I can hardly remember it," he said.

Party Piece, by Richard Harris, plays at Malvern Theatres from Monday to Saturday, February 14-19. Tickets are from £16 to £24 from the box office on 01684 892277.

Mr Daley will be the guest at a fundraising lunch for Malvern Theatres Trust on Thursday, February 17, at the Cottage in the Wood Hotel.

Tickets, at £30, will include drinks and canapes, followed by a two-course meal with wine. For more information, call the box office.

n Cast member Finty Williams, was reported this week to have vanished from the production, now at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry. The daughter of Dame Judi Dench, she appeared in a court in Surrey last Friday, where she pleaded guilty to a drink-driving charge and was warned she might face prison.