DREAMS came true for a group of Peter Kay fans who missed out on tickets for his homecoming shows.

Tickets for all dates at the Albert Halls sold out within hours of going on sale due to huge demand, but the Bolton Evening News came to the rescue by giving away four pairs of tickets during our Peter Kay Week

Nearly 2,000 readers entered our competition on March 21 to see the comedian on his five-night return to Bolton. The winners collected their prizes yesterday.

Andrew Tait, a 32-year-old company director of Thornton Drive, Bolton, said: "I'm ecstatic to have won. I tried several times to get tickets on the phone but I had no joy. It makes a change to win something. I think he's absolutely brilliant. He's got his own brand of humour and he's a local lad too."

Bolton Community College student Cheryl Marsden-McGlynn was shocked to win. The 34-year-old said: "I can't believe it. I'm so pleased. I saw the competition and thought I'd have more chance of winning tickets than getting them on the phone!

"He's a local talent and it's good to see him come back home to do some shows. He's really down to earth and just seems like a nice guy."

Kerry Hibbert, aged 21, a cashier at NatWest bank, was also delighted get her hands on the prize. Kerry, from Morris Green, said: "I tried all morning to get tickets for Bolton but they'd sold out when I got through. I managed to get some tickets to see him in Leeds so I'm going to give these to my dad. Everything Peter says is so funny and it's usually happened to you or someone you know."

Paul Dawson, of Lennox Gardens, Ladybridge, was the other winner.