THE official biographer of one of East Lancashire's most famous comedians today called for him to have more recognition in his home town.

Jimmy Clitheroe was a legend by the time he died in 1973 at the age of 51. He had gone from making his pals laugh at his Sunday School in Blacko, near Nelson, to treading the boards of theatres around the country and endearing himself to millions via his popular shows on radio and then television.

Life-time fan Sandra Skuse set about researching the life of the great comedian for a forthcoming book. Based in Woking, in Surrey, Sandra has visited the funnyman's home town of Clitheroe, where he was born at Wilkin Street, now Highfield Road. before moving to Blacko.

And she found the lack of tribute to Jimmy no laughing matter.

Sandra, who also runs the British Comedy Appreciation Society, said: "I have been up to Clitheroe a few times and every time you mention his name people smile. But there should be more to honour him, perhaps a blue plaque on the house where he was born. He was a total one-off."

The pint-sized comic was best-known for his cheeky schoolboy humour. His first radio show Call Me led to a weekly series called the The Clitheroe Kid, which became the longest running comedy show in the history of British radio, on air from 1957 until 1972.

But despite his affection with the public, very little has been done to remember him.

Now the Mayor of Clitheroe has backed calls for him to be honoured and the council has promised to listen.

Coun Gwen Pye, herself a fan of the comic, said: "I don't suppose there is anything to remember him by. There was a fish and chip shop called Jimmy Clitheroe's but I think that has gone now.

"There should be something to honour him by and I will take it up with the council."

A spokesman for Ribble Valley Borough Council said: "A blue plaque is something we would consider and would discuss with the Civic Society. Anything that helps make the area better known would always be welcome and we look forward to the book."

And Jean Entwistle, former president of Clitheroe Civic Society and current member, said: "We have often thought of a blue plaque for celebrities born in the town but to be honest we never knew where Jimmy Clitheroe was born.

"It's certainly something I will raise at the next committee meeting later this month. I remember him when I was a child and he is a great advert for the town."

Like millions of fans Sandra remembers settling down on Sunday afternoons to listen to his radio show. Years after his death Sandra began researching his career and, amazed to find nobody else had done it before, starting collating information for the as yet untitled book.

She also runs a website dedicated to the star and is urging Lancashire Evening Telegraph readers to help her with her research. The website's address is www.jimmyclitheroe.co.uk.