LONG-serving member of Parkstone Amateur Dramatics Society, Phyllis Hayes, has died at the age of 93.

Born in Poole, she was the oldest of three siblings, which also included sister, Muriel, and brother, Harry to her parents, Henry and Mabel, who all attended St James' School. At the age of 12, she starred in a play entitled Six Men of Dorset, which told the story of the Tolpuddle Martyrs, at The Corn Exchange in Dorchester and later at Bournemouth Pavilion, which sparked a love of the theatre.

At the age of 16, she entered a talent contest at the Regent Cinema in Poole and won second prize. At the beginning of the war in 1941, she saw an advert for women to train and work at The British Power Boat Company, on West Quay Road. She was initially sent for training to Marchwood where she achieved a certificate in carpentry and she later met her future husband, Bill, at work, whom she married in July 1943 at the High Street Methodist Church. In the following years, the couple welcomed two children, Alan and Christine.

After The British Power Boat Company closed, Bill went into the Merchant Navy and then as a coxswain with the Poole Pilot Service, while Phyllis worked for a Bournemouth-based theatrical agency reciting monologues at many venues.

She was appeared as a guest artist with the Male Voice Choir until they disbanded in 2005. Phyllis joined the Poole and Parkstone Operatic Society in 1950, taking lead roles in many shows including Merry Widow and South Pacific, as well as being a member of The Mirth and Melody Makers, before retiring from the company in 1975.

Phyllis went on to become a volunteer at Poole Arts Centre and was present for its official opening in 1979 which was attended by The Queen.

Outside of work, her Christian faith led her and Bill to an active social life at High Street Methodist Church, where she sang in the choir and acted as secretary for the church sisterhood. She devoted her time to her family and loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Phyllis died on January 18 and her funeral took place at Broadstone Methodist Church on February 4, with donations going to Poole Methodists Development Fund and Alzheimer's Research UK.