At his best - Les Dawson became the Patron Saint of mother-in-law jokes (18")

For years, mother-in-law jokes were as familiar as knobbly-knee competitions at Butlin's camps.

But like the knees, the gags have been knobbled to make way for a more modern image.

The company is updating its image just as "camp" has given way to "holiday centre" the politically incorrect one-liners are also on their way out.

Butlin's is spending £139m updating its image and old-style stand-up no longer fits the bill.

Not everyone is happy about it.

Les Dawson - the daddy of them all

The father of all mother-in-law jokes was Les Dawson who became the patron saint of the genre.

Another old hand in show business, Stan Boardman, has done stand up gags at Butlin's.

Stan Boardman

He says young and old still find mother-in-law jokes funny.

"It's like these people who come along and say you can't say love and chuck, now you can't tell a mother-in-law joke. I mean if it's funny it's good enough."

Comic Stan Boardman thinks it is all a joke (12")

The entertainment boss for Butlin's, Kyran Jesson, says it is time for a change.

"I don't think we're killing off a tradition, we're just following what our customers want. I think there's room for everybody - it's a big world showbusiness," he said.

The joke's on her ..."We love it"

Real mother-in-laws say jokes come with the territory.

One said: "My own son-in-law calls me the old witch, the old goat - everything... and we love it."

But regardless, Butlin's will be booking a new style of jokers in future - outlawing mother-in-law jokes forever.
 

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