Graham Walker and Robin Colvill, of the comedy band The Grumbleweeds, were joined by former member Maurice Lee (left) when they officially opened the spring exhibition of the British Society of Painters in Ilkley at the weekend.

They had a 700-strong crowd in stitches for 40 minutes in an opening described by exhibition organiser Leslie Simpson as 'the best' in the 22-year history of art shows in the town.

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Veteran comedy band The Grumbleweeds helped an annual spring painting exhibition in Ilkley get off to its 'best ever' start at the weekend.

Ilkley artist and ex Grumbleweed Maurice Lee warmed up a 700-strong audience in the King's Hall's Winter Garden on Saturday, March 8, before the group themselves took to the stage.

Robin Colvill and Graham Walker, occasionally joined by Mr Lee, were greeted with enthusiastic applause and proceeded to keep the crowd laughing almost continuously for 40 minutes.

British Society of Painters' (BSP) director Leslie Simpson has been organising the art shows in the town for 22 years but says the 2003 opening was extra special.

He said: "The Grumbleweeds held the gathered audience of 700 visitors and artists spellbound as they performed the best ever opening of any of the BSP exhibitions in the Winter Garden.

"We have had more than 45 leading celebrity openers in the past, from major soaps and television shows, but this was the best.

"The audience was in stitches."

Mr Lee, who parted company with the other band members six years ago to focus on art, was delighted to sell two of the ten paintings he had submitted within two hours.

Mr Simpson, a classically trained artist, was also pleased to watch one of his new bold, cartoon style Border Collie dog paintings become the first of the 1,227 works on display to be bought.

Featuring the work of more than 200 artists, the spring exhibition runs until Sunday, March 16, and is open daily from noon to 5pm. Admission costs £2.50.

Left, Robin Colvin and Graham Walker have the audience in stitches during their act at the King's Hall's Winter Garden.