DAME VERA No 1 AGED 92; She beats Dylan as oldest chart topper.

Byline: John Dingwall

FORCES' sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn has topped the UK album charts at the ripe old age of 92.

She became the oldest person ever to grab the coveted spot after beating off The Beatles, Jamie T and the Arctic Monkeys.

And she admitted she was astonished "after all these years" to make it to No1, adding: "This is like a miracle to me.

"I am extremely surprised and delighted, and a big thank-you to all my fans for putting me there."

Nostalgia

It's the first time she has topped the charts in her career.

Until now, the oldest artist in top spot was Bob Dylan, aged 68, with his album Together Through Life, released last April.

The Fab Four had been tipped to scupper her chances after the remastered Beatles back catalogue was reissued last week.

Dame Vera, who kept the nation's spirits up during the darkest days of the war, said she was struggling to explain why her album had sold so well. She put it down to the public's love of nostalgia.

Not only was it 70 years ago that war was declared, it's also 70 years to the month since the 22-year-old Vera first recorded We'll Meet Again.

She said: "I think it's because of the problems going on with fighting in various parts and a bit of nostalgia, but I don't know. I'd like someone to tell me."

But her latest success has not spurred her on to return to the recording studio.

Dame Vera said: "Oh no, that's finished with.You get to a certain age and your voice doesn't go up to 92.

"I wouldn't do anything now." We'll Meet Again features classics including There'll Always Be An England, A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square andWhite Cliffs Of Dover.

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DAME GOOD: Vera today and, right, during the war