CORONATION Street actor and Soapstar Superstar runner-up Andy Whyment has been sent a consolation invitation by the Mayor of Bolton.

Andy, who plays dopey Kirk Sutherland in the popular soap, lost out to fellow Street star Richard Fleeshman in the final of the TV celebrity competition.

In spite of a brilliant performance of Power of Love by Huey Lewis and the News, the Bolton-born actor just failed to beat favourite Richard after going head-to-head with him and Emmerdale's Lucy Pargeter who plays Charity Dingle.

But Bolton's Mayor, Cllr Frank White, wanted to reassure the 23 year-old from Bradshaw that the town is proud of him by inviting him to tea at the Town Hall. He was also asked to be a guest at the Mayor's Valentine's Ball on Friday, February 10, at the Reebok's Premier Suite.

Cllr White said: "I just wanted Andy to know that he did a first-class job performing on this programme, just as he always does on Coronation Street, and that, as a town, we are very proud of him."

"Young people get plenty of bad press, but here is a young man who shows just what you can achieve if you work hard and use your talents to their best advantage.

"We would be really glad to entertain him in the Mayor's parlour for tea and a chat, and I am sure he would enjoy the Valentine's Ball as our guest."

l Tickets for the Valentine's Ball cost £38 each, available by ringing 01204-331057 or emailing: sally.hayes@bolton.gov.uk