THE niece of comedienne Hylda Baker has been treated to a retirement send-off her famous relative would be proud of.

Lila Fairclough has been based at Dr Saul's surgery in Chorley New Road for 37 years, most recently working as medical manager. And at her leaving party on Saturday, her family made sure she did not go quietly.

Her four children and two sons-in-law played a host of songs in tribute to Mrs Fairclough at the Old Links Golf Club, in Chorley Old Road, Bolton.

The 65-year-old has been with the doctors' surgery since it was opened by Dr Williams in 1967.

She said: "I can't really pick out a best moment. I've always loved caring for others and it's been wonderful to have been able to do that."

Her children, Neil Fairclough, aged 34, Steven Fairclough, 41, Susan Hickey, 39, and Lois Dagnall, 37, and her sons-in-law, John Dagnall, 32, and Andy Hickey, 45, played at her leaving party.

Mrs Fairclough, who lives with her husband, Wallace, in Smithills, said: "My family has always been theatrical so the tribute was fitting really." Farnworth-born Hylda Baker, who died in 1986, aged 81, was a popular post-war comedienne, appearing in shows such as Nearest and Dearest.

She became a star aged just 10, when she performed with her comedian father, and went on to become one of the best-loved screen personalities of her time.

Mrs Fairclough added: "Everyone loved to be around Hylda. We didn't see as much of her after she became famous but we used to follow her when she was starting to make it big. The family loved being around her. She made a lot of people laugh."