SACKED radio presenter Alan Wright was last night celebrating a double accolade.

Mr Wright, ousted by BBC Radio Cleveland last month, won a coveted silver Frank Gillard award at the radio industry's "Oscars", for the best response to a news story.

And he has been asked to compere a dinner next year to celebrate the Prime Minister's 50th birthday and 20 years as an MP.

There was no comment yesterday from the BBC, which is already under pressure from listeners to reinstate the 55-year-old, who is a favourite of Tony Blair.

Mr Wright said the Frank Gillard award - for his reporting on the first elected mayor of Middlesbrough, former detective Ray Mallon - had been for a team effort.

The presenter then explained how the Prime Minister asked him to compere the dinner.

Mr Wright, who worked for Radio Cleveland for almost 30 years, said Mr Blair approached him at the opening of a hotel in his Sedgefield constituency.

He said: "Tony Blair asked 'Can you do me a favour?' When the Prime Minister asks, the answer is 'yes'.

"I am just thrilled and really honoured. To be picked out makes you feel really chuffed."