A FILM starring the legendary Farnworthborn variety performer Hylda Baker, which was thought to be lost, has been recovered following a five-year search.

Eurwyn Jones, who lives in Blackpool, set out to track down the film, She Knows Y’Know, after a conversation with the actress Jean Fergusson, whose one-woman play about Hylda was nominated for an Olivier Award.

One copy was found in the possession of the British Film Institute, but the film was too fragile to be viewed.

Undeterred, 50-year-old Mr Jones finally tracked down a copy through various film collectors networks, and negotiated with the owner to use the print.

With the help of Renown Pictures Ltd, the film was digitally remastered and is now available to buy on DVD.

She Knows Y’Know was released in June, 1962 and Baker plays the devoted mother Hylda Worswick, who suddenly finds her studious son has got himself in trouble with a local blonde girl.

Mr Jones, who works as a disability adviser, said: “Hylda Baker was one of the funniest women ever to walk on stage. I have given up many hours of my time to tracking down this early example of her talent and the results of the digital transfer have been brilliant.

“It is now completely restored and available for fans to watch. All those years of hard work have come to fruition.”

Hylda Baker was born in 1905 and shot to fame in variety theatre during the 1940s and 1950s, as well as making numerous film appearances, including Saturday Night and Sunday Morning in 1960.

She went on to appear in the 1970s television sitcoms Nearest and Dearest and Not On Your Nellie, and died in 1986 at the age of 81.

Mr Jones said: “I am glad to have uncovered another milestone for British cinema which could have been lost.

“The film shows that not only was Hylda a brilliant comedienne but she was an actress of great note too, which she later proved in films like Up The Junction and Oliver!” Copies of She Knows Y’Know are £14.99 and are available from hyldabaker.com.