A WINSFORD actress is taking a poignant musical comedy about dementia to London.

Sophie Osborne is teaming up with fellow actor Steve Cooper to perform Paradise Lodge at the Tabard Theatre in Chiswick following its acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Fringe.

The show is written by Steve and based on his experience of caring for his mother-in-law Dorothy, who had dementia.

Sophie was keen to get involved in the drama as it is a subject close to heart as she helped care for her gran Marjorie Johnson, who had Alzheimer's for 10 years.

Sophie and Steve play Eric and Kylie, a dysfunctional ukulele musical duo called The Doodlebugs, embarking on their first gig together at Paradise Lodge care home.

The story is told in a series of flashbacks and comic songs from the wartime era.

Sophie, 48, said: "When myself and my parents were caring for my gran we found humour was the best way to deal with what we were all going through.

"It's a tough subject but one that affects so many people. It's said that one in three people will develop the condition.

"I love the way the play looks at it in a light-hearted way which celebrates the lives of people with the condition."

Steve, who appeared in Peter Kay's Car Share and Coronation Street, wrote the play to try and make sense of the condition and how it impacted on his family.

Taking on nine roles between them, this hilarious and heart-wrenching tale explores the nature of identity, reality and loss.

READ > Wellbeing week encourages children to lead happy and fulfilling lives

During their time in Edinburgh Paradise Lodge raised more than £1,000 for Alzheimer Scotland.

The show runs in London until October 24.