MILLIONS of television viewers saw Bolton funnyman Peter Kay issue an apology last night at the end of his Channel 4 show.

Peter Kay has said sorry to Bolton Council's fire and training adviser Keith Laird over claims the comedian based his spoof fire safety character Keith Lard on him.

And Mr Kay has agreed to make an undisclosed donation to Mr Laird's family and the Fire Service Benevolent Fund over the distress it caused.

The statement was read out by an announcer at the end of Peter's new "Phoenix Nights" show which is based in a working men's club in which the Lard character was lampooned.

It read: "Channel Four and Peter Kay would like to state that the character of Keith Lard may have led some persons to wrongly believe that the character was based on Mr Keith Laird. We wish to make it clear this was not the case and would like to apologise to Mr Laird and his family for the distress caused.

"Mr Laird's contribution to fire safety in Bolton is well documented and his professionalism and personal integrity are not in any doubt."

The Bolton Evening News told last year how character Keith Lard shared the same facial expressions, mannerisms and even sayings as Bolton's fire adviser. After watching an episode in which the spoof fire safety officer surveyed a bingo hall, Mr Laird said: "I've never met Peter Kay, but he must have seen me somewhere because there's no doubt it's me. "He kept saying it's not fire that kills, it's ignorance -- I say that all the time. I've got 1,300 witnesses here at the council because they have been taking the mickey out of me ever since."

This morning Mr Laird refused to comment, only saying he was happy with the outcome.

Mr Laird teaches council staff about the dangers of fire.

Peter Kay was unavailable for comment.