Starry night in memory of Jack Stain

A legend of the Midlands club scene was remembered as six musical acts went head to head in West Bromwich for the second annual Jack Stain Memorial Trophy.

Mr Stain, who helped launch the careers of hundreds of performers during almost 40 years at the helm of South Staffordshire Entertainment Council, died in November 2010 aged 74.

A crowd of about 250 people packed into Charlemont Bowling Club, last night. Six acts took to the stage in a bid to claim the prize, which was won by Armitage-based music teacher Rich Parsons, aged 31.

Rich, who works at Selly Oak School in Birmingham, was chosen by an independent judging panel following his set.

Also taking to the stage last night were Black Country band Jerry and the Hat Tricks, husb-and-and wife duo Street and Lain from Bloxwich, and Darlaston singer Sheridan Leigh as well as Wednesbury-based Tony Gold and Mark Stone of Brownhills.

Current secretary of South Staffordshire Entertainment Council Mick Butterfield said: "It has been a great night. Jack would have been honoured."