EASTENDERS actress Pam St Clement dropped in on Potters Bar to re-launch a charity shop.

The longest-serving female character on the BBC soap met fans as Age UK’s Darkes Lane branch was officially unveiled, following the charity’s amalgamation of Help the Aged and Age Concern.

Pam helped set up Stage for Age in 1989, with a group of showbusiness personalities to promote a better understanding of the needs of older people, and fundraising by making special appearances to support age-related events.

The Hertsmere resident told the Potters Bar Edition: “It’s wonderful to get such a nice response from everyone who has came here today.

“I will do whatever I can to help promote stores like this, perhaps I could stand outside of the shop waving at everyone who walks past!”

She also urged the young volunteers at the shop to talk to the older people they met, because they could learn so much more that way than reading history books.

“Our history is the basis of what the future will be,” said Pam, who plays Pat Evans, formerly Pat Butcher, in EastEnders.

“Talk to your friends, get more people to volunteer. There is so much work to be done!”

Describing the shop as “lovely, light, airy and beautifully laid out, with great stock facilities out at the back”, she wished all involved great success in the future.

Marion Birch, chief executive of Age UK Hertfordshire, hosted the event. Also in attendance was Hertsmere deputy mayor Peter Knell, shop staff, volunteers, regular customers, donators and supporters.

Cllr Knell said: “It’s been a great day, and yet again it’s another bit of positive news for Potters Bar.

“It’s always nice to show people that there are things going on in the town and promote it as much as we can.”