A SURPRISE 70th birthday party was a real showstopper for a man who has played a major part in the local arts scene for more than 55 years.

Robert Wilson was amazed when he was taken to Worcester's Swan Theatre on Saturday to find it filled with 230 friends who put on a show about his life.

Mr Wilson's wife Sue organised the surprise and tricked him into thinking he was performing with the singing group Vocal Score, to which they both belong.

They were about to leave when a friend arrived, told him to change into his best clothes and chauffeur drove them to the Swan.

"This subterfuge has gone on for many months. My so-called close friends have been conniving and lying to my face," joked Mr Wilson, who was still recovering from the surprise on Wednesday.

He said the two-hour show about his life, performed by members of the Midlands Musical Theatre Group, Vocal Score and friends, made fun of him and included an incident from his childhood when he punched a fellow choir boy for singing out of tune.

Mrs Wilson, who also organised a This is Your Life event for her husband's 60th birthday, said she was planning a Caribbean cruise for them both for his 80th.

Mr Wilson role in the local arts scene includes being chairman of Malvern and District Community Arts Provision, president of the Midlands Musical Theatre Group and a board member of Malvern Theatres Trust.

He was awarded the MBE in December.