Sophie Willan wins Caroline Aherne Bursary

Bolton comic Sophie Willan has been named the inaugural winner of a bursary named after the late star Caroline Aherne.

The prize was launched last year in memory of The Royle Family creator, who died in 2016.

Willan, who was praised for her "real desire to tell stories about northern England" - and whose debut stand-up show was based on her experiences of growing up in and out of the care system, said she was "honoured and absolutely over the moon".

Willan will receive #5,000 to support development of her work and mentorship to develop a comedy script with the potential to perform at the Salford Sitcom Showcase 2018.

Willan's second stand-up show, Branded, was a hit in 2017.

She has also won a commission to adapt one of her stand-up shows into a Radio 4 series.