The Comic Strip Presents... star and director Peter Richardson received a special award this weekend at the Bath Comedy Festival 2016.

Richardson, who has been widely credited as the mastermind behind the satirical Comic Strip Presents... TV films, was presented with the Bath Plug Award for achievement in comedy.

Richardson received the award in an evening which also saw the recent phone-hacking focused Redtop episode of the show get its cinema debut. He also took part in a Q&A session about the series, hosted by historian and aficionado Jem Roberts.

Bath Comedy Festival director Nick Steel said he presented the award "as a recognition of Richardson's many years' contribution to the world of comedy and a celebration of the great British comedy institution which is The Comic Strip Presents."

The Bath Plug Award was founded last year, with Terry Jones the first recipient. The festival organisers say the award is "set be a long-running celebration of comedy greatness." It will return next April as part of the Bath Comedy Festival 2017, which will launch on the 31st March.

Richardson is pictured above wearing his award - a special polished bath plug. He's standing between Q&A host Jem Roberts and festival director Nick Steel.

New Act Award

Last night (Sunday 10th April) also saw the final of the Bath Comedy Festival New Act 2016 competition.

Stand-up comedian Pav Thiruchelvarajah, who performs under the name 'Pav', walked away with the title and a special comedy artwork prize, a tribute to double-act Pete & Dud.

Mark Dennett was the runner up on the night, with Faye Treacy third. The other acts taking part in the final were Cally Beaton, Tamar Broadbent, Steve Hilli, Adele Cliff, Aaron Levene, Maggy Whitehouse and Saskia Preston. The organsiers say: "All deserved their places and helped make it a very special night."

Host Geoff Whiting comments: "Mirth Control Comedy were delighted to partner with Nick Steel of the Bath Comedy Festival to organise this new act competition, the standard this year was exceptional and the candidates diverse and talented across the board."

Entry will open for the 2017 awards later this year.