The Houghton Weavers have landed an Admirable Contribution to Entertainment (ACE) award, recognising their charity work over a successful 34-year career.

Preston-based guitarist David Littler said he was thrilled to receive the Oscar-like Ophelia statue from Blackpool South Rotary Club.

The statue, based on the character from Hamlet, was designed by former UCLan ceramic design student Marie Kershaw.

David, a 59-year-old dad-of-two who helped start the band in 1975, said: "It's nice for someone to say 'well done lads' and we really appreciate it.

"We are a good all round family entertainment outfit and if you do not enjoy us, we will give you your money back.

"We can certainly hold our own with rock and roll bands – there are a lot of stories to tell."

The Houghton Weavers continue to play up to seven gigs a week and have recorded 25 albums. They are perhaps best known for their BBC One show Sit Thi Deawn, which featured a mixture of easy listening music and comedy and ran for seven years from 1978 to 1985.

Famous for their motto 'Keep Folk Smiling', the trio were a hit Down Under, getting to number one in Tasmania and number three in the New Zealand charts with The Blackpool Belle.

Paul Breeze, spokesman for Blackpool South Rotary Club, said the award was given through the club's charity Through The Net, which supports community groups struggling to find help elsewhere.

He added: "There are all these people getting Baftas and Oscars, but the people who put in a lot of work and time tend to get overlooked so we came up with this award.

"The Houghton Weavers are very nice guys and have been supportive of people with learning difficulties, youth clubs and other charities."

The Ophelia statue has previously been awarded to celebrities including Susannah York, Paul Nicholas and Brian Cant.




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