Actress Janet Brown dies aged 87

Scottish-born actress and comic Janet Brown, best known for her impersonation of Lady Thatcher, died in her sleep, aged 87, at a nursing home in Hove, East Sussex, yesterday.

In a career going back to the 1930s, she worked with stars including Hughie Green, Tony Hancock and George Cole.

She is best remembered for her portrayal of the former prime minister on television in the 1970s and 1980s and also played the Iron Lady in the James Bond film For Your Eyes Only.

The star was married to Carry On… actor Peter Butterworth until his death in 1979, and leaves a son and grandson.