Comics have been paying tribute to Hovis Presley in a major memorial event in his home town of Bolton.

The celebration of Presley’s life began with a four-hour concert at the town’s Albert Halls on Monday, with a line-up that included Badly Drawn Boy, Mark Radcliffe, Justin Moorhouse and Johnny Vegas.

Presley, who died in June aged 44, was hailed as one of the best stand-ups and comics to have emerged from the North West. But he harboured no ambitions to become a star, so his talent was not widely known.

At the gig, Radcliffe said: ‘He's someone who is more famous in death, but I suppose that's Hovis. Thousands of people will pick up his work now he's gone but I think he would have liked it like that.’

 Moorhouse added: ‘When people die, everyone comes out and says all these good things about them. But the thing about Hovis is that they were saying the same things when he was alive.’

The memorial celebrations continue on Monday with a Hovis Has Left The Building charity gig at Manchester’s Comedy Store featuring the likes of Dave Spikey, Simon Munnery and Lucy Porter. Click here for tickets.

The money from both events will go to a charitable foundation set up in Presley’s name.