A standing ovation in memory of one of East Lancashire’s most remarkable musicians was the highlight of the NODA North West District Three awards.

More than 350 people from local theatre companies gathered at Ewood Park on Friday as the event paid tribute to the best of amateur theatre in East Lancashire.

Tearful tributes were paid to Patricia Gaunt, who lost her fight with cancer in August, as she was awarded the Lancashire Telegraph Award for contribution to amateur theatre – an honour she was first handed in 1995.

Patricia worked with numerous societies as a pianist and musical director since the 1960s, and new NODA district councillor Richard Sanderson spoke in her honour, before introducing son Steven as one of the guests of honour.

Simon Westwell, of Burnley Light Opera Society, won the BBC Radio Lancashire Award for best overall performance for his portrayal of Sweeney Todd.

Blackburn Musical Theatre Company’s wardrobe mistress, Joan Simpson, 81, received the special achievement award for her unending support of the society in creating costumes for many years.

AWARDS: Best costume: Cinderella, Burnley Pantomime Society;

Best staging set or technical: UV scene, Genie’s cave, Aladdin, Bacup AODS;

Best pantomime character: Dave Gallagher as Dame, Little Red Riding Hood, St Cuthbert’s Darwen AODS;

Best youth performer in a youth production: Joe Bury as Troy Bolton, High School Musical 2, RAYS;

Best pantomime: Aladdin, Bacup AODS;

Best youth production: High School Musical 2, RAYS;

Best supporting female in a play: Julie Hopkinson as Madame Xenia, The Killing Of Sister George, Blackburn Arts Club;

Best supporting male actor in a play: Chris Knight as Gordon, Neville’s Island, Oswaldtwistle Players;

Best supporting female in a musical: Lesley Haworth as Dorothy Brock, 42nd Street, Clitheroe Parish Church AODS;

Best supporting male actor in a musical: Michael Howarth as Malcolm, The Full Monty, Bacup AODS;

Victor Booth Award for Burnley societies: St Cuthbert’s Burnley AODS; Tom Kinder

Award for Blackburn societies: Blackburn Musical Theatre Company;

BBC Radio Lancashire Award for best overall performance: Simon Westwell as Sweeney Todd, Burnley Light Opera Society;

Lancashire Telegraph Award for contribution to amateur theatre: In memory of Patricia Gaunt; Special Achievement Award: Joan Simpson, Blackburn Musical Theatre Company;

Best femal4e lead in a play: Anne Baron as June Buckridge, The Killing of Sister George, Blackburn Arts Club;

Best male lead in a play: Clive Stack as Roger, Outside Edge, Blackburn Drama Club;

Best female lead in musical: Vicki Stott as Florence Vassy, Chess, Burnley Light Opera Society;

Best male lead in musical: Brian Haworth as Julian Marsh, 42nd Street, Clitheroe Parish Church AODS;

Best choreographer: Katie-Louise Fry, Anything Goes, Blackburn Musical Theatre Company;

Best concert or review: Beltin’ Out Broadway, Pepperpot Hill Theatre Group;

Best musical direction: Helen Clarkson, Footloose, Todmorden Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society;

Best artistic direction of a play: Paul Mason, Don’t Dress For Dinner, Pendle HippodromeTheatre Company;

Best artistic direction of a musical: Anne Grogan, 42nd Street, Clitheroe Parish Church AODS

; Best play: The Ladykillers, Blackburn Drama Club;

Best musical: Sweeney Todd, Burnley Light Opera Society.