Drag queen home makeover for nan

Drag queen Dame Kitty organised the makeover for Lou Dodd

A grandmother from Poole had an 80th birthday surprise when her home was made over by family and friends.

Lou Dodd was taken on a day trip while a team of volunteers armed with wallpaper and paint got to work on her house in Hamworthy, in Poole.

The "selfless" pensioner was treated to the makeover by local drag queen, Dame Kitty Glitter, after the pair struck up a friendship at a local cabaret club.

Granddaughter Jo Exley said it showed "community spirit" still existed.

The grandmother, who celebrates her birthday in January, was taken on a day trip to Salisbury not knowing that a team of volunteers were transforming the dining room and conservatory of her house.

The team decorated Lou's dining room and conservatory

'Open-minded'

Mrs Exley said her grandmother had become good friends with Dame Kitty, the alter-ego of businessman David Mitchell.

"He loves my nan to bits and we are all one big family.

"I have known for a long time that my nan was open-minded and it's not very often you find someone of her age with that view.

"It shows that there's still a lot of spirit in the community."

Mr Mitchell, who runs cabaret restaurant Rubyz in Westcliffe, Bournemouth, surprised the pensioner when he opened her front door dressed as Dame Kitty.

He said: "From the first time I met her I realised she is just selfless and will always put other people first."