TYLDESLEY'S Paul Ward has shown even the most fun of pantomimes can be taken seriously.

The actor, who had to be persuaded to take on his role as Gregory Gobsmack in Tyldesley Little Theatre's pantomime Beauty and the Beast, has won the best supporting actor award in the musical section of the Greater Manchester Amateur Drama Federation Awards.

It is the first time the award has gone to someone in a pantomime and not a musical.

Tyldesley Little Theatre was nominated for a further three awards. This is the third time in four years that members of Tyldesley have walked away from the event as winners.