Hailed as Britain's most lovable madam, Cynthia Payne's 'sex for luncheon vouchers' parties were the talk of the tabloids during the 1980s. But after numerous raids and a stint in prison, things are a little more subdued at the humble House of Cyn. With her pin-striped punters long gone, she's more likely to be caught public speaking than indulging in a spot of spanking. handbag caught up with her to talk sex, striptease... and sandwiches.

Your parties were infamous for their kinky goings-on. Did you have many strange requests?
One barrister used to come when court was closed at 4 o'clock. He'd rush upstairs with his suitcase and come down dressed as Aunt Maud. To me it was all kinky, funny and hilarious - I just loved it. These were real people, so respectable-looking. There was a bank manager who liked mud thrown all over him. So we tied him up and threw the contents of the Hoover bag at him. It was a madhouse, but they were wonderful people - the lot of them.

A lot of your clients were rather mature males. Did this create an unusual atmosphere?
My biographer said that my parties reminded them of a vicarage tea party with sex thrown in. There was this squadron leader who used to keep the kitchen clean and one day a couple came in and did it in front of him and he said to me, 'Will you tell that couple to keep out of my kitchen. They're not turning me on and it's not hygienic, not with the sandwiches.' The first copper who raided me in 1980 told me he'd always know if I was having a party because there'd be 10 bottles of milk instead of one.

How did the neighbours react?
They didn't mind. One used to jump over the wall when he knew a party was on.

Have you stayed in touch with any of your old clients?
I've tried, but they're all dead now. Doris Stokes, the medium, said they're all waiting for me to give a party up there.

You've had two films made about your life, Wish You Were Here and Personal Services. Did you like the way you were portrayed?
I allowed the scriptwriter to come to my parties for research and it's a good thing he did, otherwise I don't think Personal Services would've been so good. They added bits, but most of it was true. Julie Walters asked me at the premiere whether I liked the film and I said she was more like me in Educating Rita - naive, you know? The men that knew me for years didn't like the film. I think they thought I was more homely. I was very mumsy - I used to cook them poached eggs on toast. The men were portrayed as sad - and it was sad, all those old men. I think all old folks' homes should have striptease. If I ran one, I'd have a striptease every week.

Is there anything you'd change about that time of your life?
No, I loved it. Once the film came out everyone wanted me, including George Michael.

Did you ever marry?
No, that's one mistake I haven't made. I always seemed to fall in love with policemen. Every time we had a raid, I'd get a boyfriend out of it. I'm glad I haven't married - I crave excitement. No wonder I'm taking blood-pressure pills.

You campaigned against the UK's prostitution laws as part of the Pain and Pleasure Party. Has anything changed?
If men want sex, they'll find it. Like I said in my election manifesto - why don't they legalise the whole thing and let people like me work? Nobody was harming anybody, but it's against the law. By 1980, when I came out of prison, The Sun did a campaign to stop putting vice girls in prison. We've talked about it ever since and nothing has been done about it.

What are your plans now?
I've got a documentary coming out. The policeman who raided me in 1986 is in it. He told the researcher, 'She's a thoroughly good woman,' so the researcher said, 'What did you raid her for, then?' I wrote to Tim Rice about making a musical about an English madam. He wrote back that he thought it was a brilliant idea, but he's too busy. When I look back at the 1980s I pinch myself. Did I really do all that? It's been a rollercoaster life, but it hasn't been boring. The only thing I regret is I didn't charge a larger entrance fee - only £25 for food and drink, plus a girl of their choice.