The allure of being a Beatle

A girl called Catherine Osborne was given a part in a Beatles film yesterday.  It was only a little part in a relatively modest television film to be screened at Christmas.

But the Beatles have an allure which is probably unmatched in the world, and Catherine spoke of her good fortune with the breathless excitement of a star about to be born.

"I was flabbergasted," she said, "I couldn't believe it.  I'm taking three A-levels next year in science subjects, but I'd rather do something like acting."

Catherine is 17, lives in Stanstead Abbotts, Herts., and is on holiday at Newquay, Cornwall, where the film, "Magical Mystery tour" was being shot yesterday.

She got the part, in which she has to splash about in a swimming pool, after asking Beatle Paul McCartney for his autograph.  She was wearing a bikini at the time.

Catherine added, "This makes it the greatest holiday I think I will ever have."  So there.