EAST Lancashire's stars shone at a glittering award ceremony for the leading lights of the amateur stage.

Performers and backstage stars turned out to hear the winners of the local Oscars -- the annual NODA awards, which are a closely-guarded secret.

The prestigious Lancashire Evening Telegraph Curtainraiser award was presented to Stan Tate, a Blackburn producer, by Editor Kevin Young at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel, Clayton-le-Moors, last night.

Mr Young said: "This event proves once again how vibrant the dramatic scene is across East Lancashire. All the award winners have given outstanding performances and I know the judges had a difficult time choosing them from the other nominees."

NODA award organiser Margaret Gillibrand said Stan, of Cherry Tree, Blackburn, had been part of the amateur theatrical scene for more than 50 years. He appeared in musicals in Blackburn and Hyndburn for many years and was well known as a dame in amateur and professional pantomimes.

For the last 10 years he has produced musicals for Blackburn Amateurs and the Four Churches Group, based at the Four Lane Ends church hall.

Mrs Gillibrand said: "He has enormous energy, vast knowledge and infectious good humour.

"He has stepped into the breach innumerable times to help distraught producers when a cast member has been indisposed."

During the evening, 27 other awards were presented to East Lancashire societies.

Burnley Light Opera Society won four NODA awards with their show The Pirates of Penzance and Blackburn Drama Club won five awards for their production of the Great War drama Journey's End.