The world’s oldest supermodel is looking forward to starring on the catwalk at a yarn and wool fair in Hitchin next week.

Daphne Selfe, 87, will be modelling at Festiwool – a craft fair for lovers of textile art, sewing, knitting and crochet – on Saturday, November 14, at North Herts College’s Cambridge Road campus.

With a mix of more than 50 exhibitors, presentations, demonstrations and fashion shows it promises to be another top event after attracting more than 500 people when it was launched at the same venue last year.

Daphne, who got into modelling at the age of 70 after her husband Jim Smith died, told the Comet: “I’m really looking forward to this year’s Festiwool after thoroughly enjoying modelling at last year’s one.

“I got into it through a friend called Angela Askew, who I used to dance with at the Gordon Craig Theatre in Stevenage.

“There’s great interest in creative craft work as people have always made things.

“It was lovely to see all the talented people at last year’s event.

“I got into modelling when I was 70 after my husband died. He worked at the then ATV Studios in Borehamwood and was floor manager for the show Live at the London Palladium for 12 years, and I got asked to do something for London Fashion Week.

“Vogue magazine were then doing an article on ageing and a stylist said to me: ‘Why don’t you get involved?’ and it went from there.

“I’ve just come back from modelling in Sydney, Australia, which was good fun. I’m very lucky to do what I do, and have met some wonderful people – Twiggy was lovely.

“I think there’s a lot of interest from people in older models because many live longer these days. When I was in my youth, if you were 40 you were considered old, but now 40 or 50 isn’t old.

“Someone like me is a change from all the young, skinny stick models we have. Everyone has been very nice – I’m looking forward to Festiwool.”

Daphne will also be signing copies of her book The Way We Wore: A Life in Clothes at 12.30pm during Festiwool. Find out more about what’s in store online at www.festiwool.com.