The life and work of best-selling comic writer Pete McCarthy have been commemorated, thanks in part to a column written by a Warrington Guardian journalist.

Deputy editor Jeremy Craddock, writing in his Papercuts column, called for the town to honour local son McCarthy when he died in October 2004 at the age of 51.

The appeal was spotted by bosses at Warrington arts centre The Pyramid, who were thinking about paying for a piece of public art, and the two ideas collided.

Now, two-and-a-half years on, a special plaque has been unveiled in Space 7 at The Pyramid by Pete’s parents, Ken and Margaret Robinson, who still live in the town.

Artist Peter Oakley with the tribute to Pete McCarthy

The artwork, by Warrington artist Peter Oakley, features the motto from the author’s bestselling travel book, McCarthy’s Bar, which says “Never pass a bar that has your name on it”.

Ironically, the famous writer and broadcaster was really Peter Robinson, but took his mother’s maiden name for Equity purposes.

Jeremy said: “I was writing a weekly column called Papercuts at the time of Pete’s death. I commented that his life and achievements should be commemorated in Warrington in some way.

“I thought he was a brilliant humorist. I roared with laughter at his books and saw him perform at the Pyramid shortly before he died when he had the packed audience in stitches.

“I’m thrilled to see a tribute at last.”