THE work of one of East Lancashire's hardest working and most popular figures was recognised as the theatre world celebrated in style last night.

Carol-Anne Connolly proved an immensely popular winner of the Lancashire Evening Telegraph's Curtain Raiser Award for outstanding contribution to local theatre during the past 12 months.

It was just one of over 20 presented at the annual awards dinner for the National Operatic and Dramatic Association, which involves societies from all over East Lancashire, held at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel, Clayton-le-Moors.

Carol-Anne was selected for the Curtain Raiser Award for her work as both an actress and director.

She said: "This is fabulous. I have won awards in the past but this really is special. I can't quite believe it."

Carol-Anne, a member of Rossendale Players for over 16 years is a well-known figure in the local amateur theatre scene having worked with a number of societies.

In the past 12 months she took a leading role in a production of John Godber's Teechers and also directed Happy Families. She also took a touring production of Teechers to the Lake District to raise funds for Rossendale Players.

She received her award from John Anson, features editor of the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

Carol-Anne of Alexandra Road, Blackburn, is working on her next production, directing the musical Stepping Out.

Also at the awards evening a long service presentation was held for Dorothy Perkins who has been a member of Blackburn Drama Club for 50 years. Dorothy had two reasons to celebrate after a production of The Herbal Bed she directed was judged best play. Best musical award went to Burnley Light Opera and Drama Society's production of Kiss Me Kate.

There was also a cabaret performance from the show Closer Than Ever as a tribute to Margaret Gillibrand who has stepped down as the NODA representative for the area after 15 years. Her successor is Amanda Watmough.

A full list of award winners and pictures will appear in Monday's Lancashire Evening Telegraph.