Prospective parliamentary candidate Alan Wright has been awarded the prestigious After Dinner Speaker of the Year Award at the Lord's Taverners in London.

Mr Wright is a popular after dinner speaker who has appeared around the world and he said he is delighted to lift the trophy, which has previously been won by some of the top names in the entertainment world.

The event was held in The Long Room at Lord's Cricket Ground where he was presented the top trophy.

Dad-of-two Mr Wright, who has been married to wife Joan for 43 years, has been a professional speaker and conference host for the past 30 years.

He has spoken throughout the UK, USA and the Middle East.

The former BBC Radio Cleveland presenter, who is standing for the Conservatives in the next General Election, said "The award was a total surprise.

"I'm absolutely delighted, especially to be measured against previous winners such as Barry Cryer."

The Lord's Taverners started life as a club founded in 1950 by a group of actors who used to enjoy a pint while watching the cricket from the Tavern at Lords.

Past presidents of the Lord's Taverners include former England cricket captain Mike Gatting, Eric Morecambe and The Prince of Wales.

The Lord's Taverners most high profile commitment to the community are their distinctive green minibuses which are designed to give young people with physical and learning disabilities the opportunity to travel.