Fans of The Archers flocked to Weymouth library to meet the actress who plays one of the programme’s sassiest characters.

Sunny Ormonde, who plays man-eater Lillian Bellamy on the popular radio 4 soap, appeared at the library to talk with fans of the programme and give them an insight into the mind of one of the soap’s most loved characters.

The talk was organised by the Friends of Weymouth Library, a volunteer group dedicated to supporting the activities of Weymouth library. 

During the talk, Sunny explained the importance of local libraries. She said: “I have done a couple of shows for rural towns and a couple in libraries, we are trying to get libraries used. If I can help get people coming into the library then I am happy to do that.

“I admire the Friends of Weymouth Library for giving back to the library. Anyone not in their group please join because we are keeping the spoken word alive.”

Sunny has worked on The Archers for 16 years and took the opportunity to thank fans for their constant support. She said: “Without the fans I would have nothing to show. It’s nice that people are so fascinated to see you."

Sunny also spoke about the show’s domestic abuse storyline which made national headlines in 2016.

The storyline involved the character Helen stabbing her partner Rob as a result of domestic abuse. Sunny said: “Archers can be about the countryside and cricket but it can also be very serious. 

“I didn’t think people realised the impact it would have. There was doubt whether to go with that story. It is unusual for a programme like The Archers to have a storyline like that, but it is wonderful that it did. If it only helped one person to be brave enough then we had done our job.”

A Q and A with Sunny was held after the talk, with fans of the show firing their most original Archers questions at the star.

Sally and Nick Woolmer were awarded a marked script from one of the show’s episodes for asking the most original Archers question. 

The award-winning question was: “If Matt and Justin decided to have a dual which one would Lilian prefer to survive?”

Sunny’s answered: “I said- neither - maybe it's time for a change- she has an eye on PC Burns!”