LANCASHIRE has been renowned for top class comedians over the years and today we look back at some of the best.

Maureen Edwards told Bygones: “I’m convinced Lancashire humour is genetic, inherited from one generation to the next.

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“The ability to see the funny side of simple, everyday occurrences and turn them into hilarious sketches is born and bred in the county.

“Throughout the war-torn 1940s and the austere 1950s, Lancashire comedians were in charge; they did it with ease, with professionalism, and kept the country chuckling with catchphrases.”

Among the seven comedians Maureen highlights is Jimmy Clitheroe, named after his home town where he was born in 1921. Small in stature, he had a mammoth career that embraced variety, theatre, radio, television, film and pantomime.

If you walk up to the castle in Clitheroe and visit the museum you’ll often hear his radio show playing – The Clitheroe Kid. There’s also a café near the market named after him. Then there’s Al Read, whose 1950s radio show was one of the most loved programmes.

He called his work ‘pictures of life’ and the start to his radio show summed up Lancashire humour perfectly – ‘Al Read; introducing us to ourselves’.

Then, of course, there was George Formby, who conquered the world, singing songs with double entendre – “If you could see what I can see – when I’m cleanin’ windows...”

Frank Randle appeared minus his false teeth. He loved to shock with risqué topics and dialogue to match, and it was not unusual for Randle to be banned by the BBC for overstepping the mark.

Weavers in the cotton mills were very adept at lip reading and it is said to be a habit often parodied by music hall comedians.

This can be seen in the work of the indomitable Hylda Baker, whose sister lived in Darwen, remembered for her catchphrases including ‘she knows y’know…’ and her malapropisms.

Norman Evans, born in 1921 is best remembered for his sketch ‘Over the Garden Wall’, a one-sided conversation with the unseen neighbour, while Ted Ray had a remarkable career in music hall and with his radio show – Ray’s a Laugh.

He was adept at ad-libbing with guest artists such as Peter Sellers, Graham Stark Kenneth Connor.

Said Maureen: “There are so many more, Tommy Handley, Stan Laurel, Eric Morecambe, Gracie Fields, all displaying the brand of humour Lancashire identifies with. They started something that continues today.

“When ex-pats are asked what they miss most, amongst the nostalgia, the bacon butties, the mushy peas, there’s always the accent and humour. No one does comedy better than Lancashire.”