POPULAR veteran actor George Cole regaled guests at a Malvern hotel with stories about his career, which has stemmed more than six decades.

Mr Cole, most widely known for his 15 years of playing second-hand car salesman Arthur Daley in the long-running hit television series Minder, held the talk at the town's Cottage in the Wood Hotel to raise cash for the Malvern Theatres Trust.

The 79-year-old star, who started acting aged 14, has appeared in numerous television and radio shows, as well as films, including the role of Flash Harry, which he created and repeated five times in the St Trinian movies.

He is currently appearing at Malvern Theatres in the comedy Party Piece, in which he plays a cantankerous old man who hates everyone, particularly his newly-acquired daughter-in-law.

In an interview with the Evening News last week, he said: "I'm loving doing this tour and it's my first time performing in Malvern.

"The fact I get to go to a different theatre each week still gives me a thrill and keeps me going."

He said despite his impending 80th birthday, he has no intention of quitting his thespian ways, and counts his favourite co-stars to include Elizabeth Taylor and "mentor" Alastair Sim, who spotted him in his first film Cottage to Let and went on to star alongside him in 11 movies.

Party Piece ends tomorrow night and tickets, which cost £16 to £24, can be purchased by calling 01684 892277 or online at www.malvern-theatres.co.uk