COMEDIAN and TV presenter Jason Manford has praised staff at the Civic Arts Centre in Oswaldtwistle.

The centre, in Union Road, regularly hosts Manford’s Comedy Club, launched by Jason and his brother Colin to showcase up-and-coming stand-up talent.

And, although Jason doesn’t perform himself, the centre had its sixth sell-out show at the weekend.

The Salford-born comic said: “One thing I’ve learned since my brother Colin and I started our comedy clubs is that it doesn’t matter if you find the perfect food, light it well, and load it with the best comedians.

“Without staff who work hard, love comedy and comedians, and who respect the audience, who pay hard-earned money for a night of laughs, then it will never be a success.

“Thank you to all the staff at all our venues who make this exciting venture work.”