BOLTON'S very own Oscars event put the town's amateur stage stars in the spotlighton Friday night at a glittering ceremony.

The 11th Bolton Evening News Amateur Stage Awards and Bolton Amateur Theatre Societies' Dinner was attended by more than 250 people in the Lion of Vienna Suite at the Reebok Stadium.

This year saw the introduction of new awards for comedy, recognising the best actor, best actress and best comedy show.

The Bolton Evening News's theatre critic, Nigel McFarlane, announced the winners and nominees as their pictures were flashed on to a giant screen.

Cheers greeted the winners, who received their awards to a selection of music ranging from Tara's Theme from Gone with the Wind to Tony Christie's unofficial Bolton anthem, Is This The Way To Amarillo.

The awards ceremony closed with an address by Eric Henshaw, managing director of the Bolton Evening News, who thanked the sponsors and the staff at the DeVere Whites hotel who helped to organise the evening.