Award honours Henry's career

Lenny Henry has won a new award for black entertainers.

The comic was given the Edric Connor Inspiration Award for black people working in film and television.

The accolade was handed out at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London at the first ever Black Film-Makers awards ceremony.

A spokeswoman for the event said: "Lenny Henry has risen from being a cult star on children's television to being one of Britain's best known and loved personalities who has had a crucial influence on the creation of black-centred comedy and characters."

Other stars to receive awards included Denzel Washington and Angela Bassett, neither of whom picked up their honours.

The lifetime acheivement prize went to former blaxploitation queen Pam Grier.

Edric Connor was a Trinidadian singer and actor who became the first black actor in the Royal Shakespeare Company. He came to Britain in 1944, and died in 1968.

Published: 9 Sep 2002