THE Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford on Avon welcomed veteran comedian Barry Cryer to the stage to pick up a Bath comedy award.

Mr Cryer, who has been in the comedy business for over 50 years, was welcomed with his stage partner Ronnie Golden to perform a two hour set as part of the Bath Comedy Festival at the centre in Ashley Road on Wednesday (April 5) evening. As well as performing to a packed room, Mr Cryer was also awarded with the Bath Plug award in recognition of his work in British Comedy.

John Potter, of Bradford on Avon, said: “Barry was given the award because he has been in the UK comedy scene for so many years, and in that time he has made many people laugh. Funnily enough we supplied him with a kazoo, before he got on stage he realised he didn’t have one so my wife and I called a friend and managed to get hold of hers.

“To have Barry and Ronnie in Bradford on Avon is wonderful, it is important for people to know these things are happening as it attracts more people to the town.”

The 82-year-old comedian is known for his writing as well as his comedy, previously having written for the Two Ronnies, Tommy Cooper and even Morecambe and Wise. Following the performance in Bradford on Avon, Mr Cryer is continuing his tour and will be performing in London, Worthing and Bromsgrove over the coming months.

Previous comedians who have picked up the Bath Plug award include Peter Richardson, creator of series such as The Comic Strip Presents which launched the careers of Rik Mayall, Alexei Sayle and Adrian Edmundson, and Terry Jones from Monty Python.