Coronation Street star Amanda Barrie challenges fans to ‘hunt her down’ in new stunt with grannies in balaclavas

BALACLAVA-clad grannies led by Amanda Barrie have been unleashed in four UK cities. A crew of balaclava-clad grannies on mobility scooters led by Amanda Barrie have been unleashed across four UK cities – and are challenging the nation to hunt them down. Amanda Barrie is celebrating Irn Bru’s 125th anniversary Credit: SWNS The actress is challenging the nation to hunt her down for a retro TV ad Credit: SWNS IRN-BRU’s iconic granny was known for nicking cans and making a swift getaway in a beloved retro TV ad. Supermarkets, convenience stores and even vending machines had no chance when the electric lady powered on girders rolled into town. Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! To mark the drink brand’s 125th anniversary, they have laid down the gauntlet for the nation to do what many security guards have failed – and stop the new gang of getaway grannies in their tracks. In this unique challenge, the first 12 people in each city to find granny before she scarpers will earn £125. READ MORE ON AMANDA BARRIE Granny Tourismo will see the nimble nans take to the streets across Scotland and England, starting in Glasgow on September 15th and Edinburgh on September 16th. They will then travel south to Liverpool on the 17th before concluding their tour in London on the 18th. Members of the public will have to be quick to track them down, as they’ll be ready for a low-speed pursuit in their mobility scooters, complete with blue flame racing stripes. A series of cryptic clues will be released via social media alerting eager fans to their whereabouts – a secret location somewhere in each city. Most read in Showbiz National treasure and star of the screen, from Coronation Street to Carry on, Amanda Barrie, is leading the charge of grannies at the tender age of 91. Amanda Barrie said: “After all those years in the UK’s top soap and my Carry On capers, I know a thing or two about causing chaos. “Then there was my time wreaking havoc in Larkhill Prison, not to mention taking a swipe at Gordon Ramsay on national TV. But even I struggle to keep up with these grannies. “They’ve traded shopping trolleys for mobility scooters and they’re determined not to be caught. If you do manage to stop one, you’ve definitely earned your £125.” The challenge will kick off in Scotland, which is not only the home of the famous drink, but a host of famous grannies, from Craiglang’s Isa, to Mrs Doubtfire, Lorraine Kelly, and everyone’s favourite neighbour Christine. To celebrate 125 years of the national favourite, the inspiration for the granny gang also returns – the brand’s Electric Lady ad featuring the iconic shoplifting granny. It saw a kind smiling elderly woman glide through her town on a mobility scooter, smiling and waving at neighbours before raiding a shop for dozens of cans of IRN-BRU. The brand’s Kenny Nicholson said: “To celebrate our anniversary, we’ve brought to life one of our greatest characters. “Fans will need to be quick as they won’t be in each of the four cities for long before they make a speedy getaway to the next one. “This is one of the many ways we’re giving back to the nation as we mark 125 years of Made in Scotland from Girders.” Amanda pictured in a balaclava for the campaign Credit: SWNS She played Alma in Coronation Street Credit: AFP Comment now