BOLTON actor Stan Porter has been appearing on the amateur stage since he was nine years old -- but it was not until his 60th birthday that he received any national recognition.

Now, after 51 years of being involved in Bolton amateur dramatics, he is celebrating winning a premier award.

He was told he had received his first nomination in the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) North West Area Awards on the day of his birthday.

And it proved first time lucky for Stan, who scooped the top award for Best Supporting Actor in a Play.

The winning role was his performance as Bunting the Butler in St Vincent's Amateur Dramatic Society's production, Murdered To Death.

It was the first play he had appeared in for 35 years, having made his name as pantomime dames in that time. Stan said: "I stepped in at the last minute when the company was stuck for someone. It was a part I enjoyed because it was three characters rolled into one -- his true straight personality being revealed at the end.

"I also had a great drunk scene to perform. I am obviously delighted to have won."

Maureen McManus, from St Vincent's, said: "The many people who have been associated with him will be delighted that his talent has been recognised in this way."

The company's next production is My Three Angels, a comedy by Sam and Bella Spewack. The play is set in 1910 in the colony of French Guiana in South America.

Into the lives of the struggling general store owner and his family arrive three convicts from the local penal settlement who somehow prove that angels can appear in all shapes and sizes -- but then this is Christmas Eve!

Alice Bowmer, who has been with the society since appearing in its first production in May 1996, will be directing the production.

My Three Angels will be performed at St Vincent's Parish Centre, Rutherford Drive, off Manchester Road, Over Hulton, from June 4 to 8, 7.30pm. Tickets, £3.50, are from the ticket secretary on 01204 64049.