The group won top prize for its production of Ivan Menchell's The Cemetery Club, directed by Raymond Williams at The Carriageworks last October.

CON(WAY) ARTIST: Leila Conway

"When the list of contenders for the award was read out, I didn't think we were in with a chance because the standard of the other productions was really very high," Raymond said.

"So when Limelight's name was called as winner I was absolutely delighted. I am so pleased for the whole company who worked really hard."

The play was about three American widows who form a club to make a pilgrimage each year to visit their late husbands' graves. It featured Ruth Bush and Rosemerry Venet as well as Raymond's wife Mollie Williams.

Also a proud winner was Leila Conway, who as a member of the community centre art class and Leeds Civic Arts Guild, scooped the Brooke Nelson Fine Arts Award for her painting in acrylic entitled Otters.