Salute at double to Fylde's stars

Portraits and plaques celebrating comedians Bobby Ball and Jenny Eclair, actress Amanda Barrie and musician Roy Harper, along with the late George Formby, Les Dawson, Josef Locke and Al Read, will be unveiled on Saturday as the latest features of St Annes’ seafront Peace and Happiness Garden.

Then a few hours after the ceremony, a tribute night to all eight will be staged at the St Annes Palace in Garden Street.

Along with a George Formby tribute act, the evening will feature BBC archive film clips of the eight celebrities and live input from those who have known or worked with them.

Executive producers of the show are Fiona Boismaison and Ian Roberts, respectively chairman and vice-chairman of the St Annes In Bloom group, which has instigated the features in the Peace and Happiness Garden, adjoining the town’s Les Dawson statue and pier.

Ian explained: “St Anne’s In Bloom has worked closely with Fylde Council to bring some exciting new features to the Peace and Happiness Garden, including stone carvings and even a piano,.

“But in talking to visitors it became apparent that not everyone knew who Les Dawson was and this led us to think about creating an interpretation board for him.

“However, we also realised that other hugely popular entertainers had connections with Lytham St Annes and that they too could be celebrated at the same time.

“The eight chosen each will each have a plaque containing a unique portrait plus information about the entertainer.

“Contact with the individuals themselves or their family or representatives has generated very positive reactions and many have expressed their interest in attending the unveiling.

“It occurred to us that it may be something of an anti-climax to simply say goodbye to these people after the event and that we had an opportunity to do something more. which is how the evening event came about.”

Proceeds from the evening show will go to Variety, The Children’s Charity and St Annes In Bloom.

Tickets, price £5, have been selling fast. Availability can be checked at the Pavilion café in Ashton Gardens.