DAD'S Army to EastEnders and everything in between during a packed acting career will be highlighted in An Audience with Ian Lavender at this year's Bewdley Festival.

Likely to forever be remembered most as "stupid boy" Pike in the enduring television comedy, Dad's Army, Ian has also played Derek Harkinson in the popular soap, EastEnders but has done much more besides.

With tickets still available to hear anecdotes of his time in the business and put questions, at Bewdley's Ramada Hotel, on Saturday, there is still an opportunity to be in the audience for the event.

Ian had just two months' acting experience under his belt when he landed the role that was to make his name in what turned out to be one of the most popular comedy shows of all time.

He played the hapless yet loveable Frank Pike in 10 series of Dad's Army. So revered was the programme that Arthur Lowe's command, as Captain Mainwaring, not to give a captured U-boat commander his name - "Don't tell him Pike" - has topped a poll of the funniest lines of all time.

Despite being so memorable as the Home Guard mummy's boy, Ian has managed to avoid becoming typecast.

His other work includes constant television and radio work in the UK, as well as performing in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East and Far East.

In addition to his dramatic work, including in classics such as Dustin Hoffman's The Merchant of Venice, he has also been in light comedies.

He has guested on quiz and talk shows and even cooked a meal on Carlton television's Who's Cooking Dinner? He has also been a narrator for artistes as diverse as the London Sinfonia and Rick Wakeman.

Tickets for An Audience with Ian Lavender, which begins at 8pm, are available from Bewdley Tourist Information Centre on 01299 404740 or from 01299 403355.