A UNIQUE training programme teaching traditional seaside entertainment has marked the completion of its summer season. 

Seaside supremo and founder of Dawlish-based Promenade Promotions Tony Lidington secured Arts Council funding to provide support for newcomers to the business. 

The trainees have been in action through the summer at locations around south Devon including Dawlish. 

Tony, otherwise known as Uncle Tacko, said: ‘We have completed a remarkable summer season, with a host of glorious memories: thank you to all 14 of the professional street artists who worked alongside us this year.

'All the Sunshine Follies trainees passed the Arts Council funded training programme with flying colours and completed a first season of professional work in the entertainment industry.

‘This has been my 42nd consecutive summer season entertaining folk at the British seasides and one of the most rewarding, thank you to every one who has supported us and I hope we can do it all again next year.

‘We greatly appreciate all 24 promoters of the events and of course the thousands upon thousands of audience members we entertained and with whom we have shared the joy this summer.’

Founded to promote and preserve the art of British popular entertainment, Promenade Promotions launched its Seaside Follies training programme earlier this year.

It provided specialist training in family-friendly seaside entertainment and street performance to which to 17 to 25-year-olds from Devon. 

Also over the summer, Tony’s nephew Spike Bones enjoyed his first season of new Punch and Judy show which was performed in Dawlish.