Cream of clubland in awards bonanza

They love to perform and make people smile - and now the cream of clubland has been celebrated at a top awards ceremony.

Six stars of the club scene were named the best in the business at the South Staffs Entertainment Council 2010. More than 260 people headed to The Saddlers Club at Walsall FC's Banks's Stadium for an evening of music and comedy.

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Sponsored by the Express & Star, the awards are the highlight of the council's events calendar.

A total of 54 venues around the South Staffs circuit, including in Walsall, Wolverhampton, Cannock, Dudley, Willenhall and Telford, voted for who they thought were the best around.

Last night, the acts took to the stage to dazzle the crowd and pick up their coveted awards. First to perform was mother-of-three Kerrie Weston, who bagged the award for best female vocalist for the second time.

The 33-year-old, of Pelsall, performed hits ranging from Billy Ocean's Suddenly to songs from girl group The Saturdays and Lady Gaga. Mrs Weston, who discovered her talent for singing in her early teens, said: "I'm really pleased to get an award again this year. It makes all my hard work worthwhile. I have always loved singing but it wasn't until about six years ago that I started performing in clubs."

Solo singer David Laine, of Tipton, won best male vocalist, just one year after being named best newcomer.

The 25-year-old, of Ocker Hill, said: "To think last year I got best newcomer and I've got another award this year. I have only been singing about two or three years." He treated the audience to an eclectic mix of songs from Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra to Boyzone and Michael Buble. Best newcomer Luke Anthony burst on to the stage singing Let Me Entertain You.

Wearing a dazzling white suit, Luke, of Lower Gornal was the evening's youngest performer at the tender age of just 14.

The Ellowes Hall Sports College student said: "I can't believe I actually won. I'm really happy. I've been singing since I was six and performing at family parties."

Popular husband and wife team Ashley and Janine Jeffery won the best duo award. Mr and Mrs Jeffery, of Trevor Road, in Pelsall, scooped the award for the second year running.

GKN machine setter Mr Jeffery, aged 36, said: "We must be doing something right. We have been singing together for eight years. We love performing music from the 1950s up to now, such as Queen and Michael Buble."

Funnyman Lee Wilson collected the gong for best comedian. Mr Wilson, of Pedmore, in Stourbridge, said he was "thrilled to bits". The 72-year-old has been performing stand-up for the last 27 years and works full-time on cruise ships. "Comedy never ages," he said.

The last act to hit the stage was best group Chain Reaction. The trio of Debbie Tonks, aged 39, her husband Mark, 37, and friend Hayley Cookson-Powers, 38, also won in 2003, 2007 and 2009. GP's receptionist Mrs Tonks, of Low Hill in Wolverhampton, said: "We are all really chuffed."

Punters who packed in to watch the show said it was one of their favourite events of the year. Pam Lloyd, aged 65, entertainment secretary of Willenhall Liberal Club, said: "It's a great night and we come to this every year." Brian Lunt, aged 70, of Wednesfield, said: "My favourites are Ashley and Janine because they're just such a nice couple but I do like all these acts."