KATHY STAFF, the actor who played the character Nora Batty in the long-running BBC television comedy, Last of the Summer Wine , has died, it was reported yesterday.

Staff (80) died after a short illness, according to the BBC.

Staff played the character from the first episode of the show in 1973 and made her last appearance in August.

Aside from Last of the Summer Wine , she also appeared in Coronation Street , Crossroads and the sitcom Open All Hours .

The actor Peter Sallis, who played the character Norman Clegg in the longrunning sitcom, said he was "terribly upset" at the loss and the vicar of the church Staff attended paid tribute to her warmth and generosity.