Phoenix Nights star's new honour

Phoenix Nights star Dave Spikey has been given some consolation after losing out on the best newcomer gong at the British Comedy Awards at the weekend.

The comic, who plays compere Jerry St Clair, has been named as the Face Of Culture in his home town, Chorley in Lancashire

Now a local sculptor will create his bust, and present it to him when his tour visits the town in May.

Dave beat the League of Gentlemen 's Steve Pemberto , Everton footballer Dave Unsworth and Star Sailor's James Walsh in a poll of more than 2,500 residents.

Phoenix Nights won the People's Choice award at the weekend and its star Peter Kay named writer of the year - even though the show is co-written with Spikey and Neil Fitzmaurice.

Councillor Cath Hoyle, responsible for promoting culture, said: "We are pleased that Dave's work on Phoenix Nights was recognised at the Comedy Awards through a people's vote, we look forward to working with him to launch our Cultural Strategy and help raise the profile of artists in the borough."

Published: 16 Dec 2002