The plaque to the late comic, who also hosted BBC One's Blankety Blank, was unveiled by his close friend and comedy partner Roy Barraclough - better known as Coronation Street's Alec Gilroy - at Manchester's Palace Theatre.

Many of his friends, family and showbiz admirers were present, both at the unveilings and a celebrity lunch afterwards.

Fellow comedian Ken Dodd quipped to gathered crowds: "I'm sure Les would be delighted to see he had kept so many people out of church.

"He will never fade from our memories, he was a great lord of laughter, a king of comedy, who we will remember with great affection."

The ceremony was followed by the unveiling of a second plaque honouring one of Dawson's greatest influences, the late Rochdale-born variety star Norman Evans.

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Dawson, who died in 1993, rated Evans as one of the funniest comedians of his era and regularly named him as an inspiration. Both comedians played Manchester theatres regularly and had many friends in common.

The blue plaque was awarded to the Manchester-born comedian by Comic Heritage, in conjunction with his widow Tracey Dawson.

As well as ensuring Britain's strong comic history is not forgotten, Comic Heritage also works hard at charity fund-raising.

Since 1991 more than 30 of Britain's finest comedians have been honoured with blue plaques from the group, whose patron is ex-Goon Sir Harry Secombe.