Animal welfare is no laughing matter for Bolton comedian Dave Spikey.
He is the patron of Bradshaw-based charity Pet Rehome, which finds caring new owners for unwanted animals, and he is a campaigner against the torture of Asiatic "moon" bears.
Now he has been given a special RSPCA award for his efforts on behalf of animals.
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Together with his wife, Kay, he is the latest recipient of the James Newton Memorial Award, previously won by local individuals and groups including the Greater Manchester Fire Service and Bolton Mountain Rescue Team.
He said: "I'm proud and privileged to receive the award. It's a great honour and we are both thrilled to bits."
The annual award was introduced in 1988 in memory of former RSPCA Bolton president James Newton.
It is usually given to local people, although it was once awarded to the Mayor of Tossa de Mar in Spain for his abolishment of bullfighting in his town.
The Phoenix Nights star took the couple's dogs, Megan and Pippa, to the ceremony for the presentation by local RSPCA chairman Mary Needles.
Spikey revealed that his love of animals started in childhood and, at one stage, he had nine dogs, four goats, sheep and chickens.
"I've always had an affinity with animals," he said. "My mum used to say I'd come home with all sorts. I used to bring dogs home."
One of the Spikeys' dogs, Pippa, was a rescue dog found in a bag after being thrown into a river and his other dogs were all older animals from rescue pounds.
Spikey's campaigning about the torture of "Moon" bears, which are kept in cages so their bile can be extracted for use in traditional medicine by the Vietnamese and Chinese, is soon to be broadcast by Granada as part of a TV video diary.
A fund-raising campaign with charity Animal Asia raised enough money to have two bears freed.
"In countries like China and Vietnam, it's no good trying to educate people because the countries are so steeped in tradition," he said. "They need to be shown alternatives to the bile for illnesses."
Kathy Walton, chairman of Pet Rehome, was delighted with the Spikeys' award. "Dave has been our patron for eight years since the charity started," she said.
"We are very grateful for his support. He helps a lot by putting on concerts when he can and visiting our Christmas and Easter fairs."
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