A former actress has died just weeks before a concert was due to take place to celebrate her 100th birthday.

Winnie Shaliker, nee Oates, appeared in lead musical and drama roles with local theatre companies including the former Accrington Amateurs, Blackburn Amateurs and Blackburn Light Opera Society, among others, and often alongside her sister Theresa.

A concert had been planned to mark her birthday in mid-September, at Blakewater Lodge Home, where she moved to a few weeks before her death from her home in Yew Tree Drive, Blackburn.

Eric Nolan, secretary of Blackburn Drama Club, helped organise for Winnie to visit the restored Thwaites Empire Theatre in 2009 for her 98th birthday, and was involved in planning the September concert.

He said: “I met Winnie for the first time when I was in Samlesbury Players back in the 1970s, and acted with her, and she did my make-up too.

“She was well known for encouraging the new younger actors coming along, and I was so reassured to hear her saying ‘You did well’.

“Winnie was delighted to see the restored Thwaites Empire Theatre there for the future, and its growing popularity and usage, especially by the new generation of actors and dancers.

“After her visit in 2009 she generously sent the theatre a donation towards its upkeep.

“Sadly Winnie died last Tuesday, a mere six weeks off her 100th birthday.

"But her memory will certainly live on in many of our local theatre’s older members.”

At one time, Winnie – whose father owned the tripe shop on Darwen Street, left Blackburn to perform professionally, but returned homesick to the town.

Funeral details have not yet been confirmed.