FANS of Bolton's best-known folk group, the Houghton Weavers, have been left reeling over news that front man Norman Prince is to quit.

But lead singer and a Weavers director, Tony Berry, today assured followers that the group will carry on.

Norman, the bespectacled comic of the group, will leave in April.

The founder member of the hit group who have sold thousands of albums and had a hit television show, is to "pursue other aspects of his showbiz career".

However, the group stress that they are continuing to take bookings for 1999 and say they plan to "go from strength to strength" without chirpy Norman.

In a statement, Norman, 53, of Westhoughton, said: "We have been at it for 24 years and I want to pursue more solo work.

"Over the years, it is like a marriage and you get a little bit bored here and there and after 24 years I want to try something different."

Directors are now anxious to allay their fans' fears and re-iterate that the Houghton Weavers - a hit with family audiences - will continue.

Tony Berry said: "I don't think it is a sad day at all. When Nathan Blake left Bolton Wanderers, Bolton Wanderers didn't cease to exist. Like them, we will be much better off. We plan to go from strength to strength."

Over the years, the Houghton Weavers have released 24 albums, have starred in their own television and radio shows and have topped the bill in pantomimes.

A new recruit, musician Stephen Millington, joined the ranks last year to join stalwarts Tony, Norman and David Littler.

Norman, a quick witted ad libber, helped to craft the Weavers' clean-cut folk image, which by 1978 had rocketed them to TV fame.

But in recent years he has branched out and developed a successful career on BBC radio and is currently a well known voice on Radio Lancashire.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.