Letters give 'glimpse' into Eric Morecambe's life

Morecambe was the comedian's home town

An exhibition of letters that "give a glimpse behind the glasses" of comedian Eric Morecambe has gone on display in his home town.

Morecambe Library is showcasing the letters, bought by Manchester historian David Harrop earlier this year.

Among the correspondence are letters between Morecambe, who died in 1984, and the football pundit Jimmy Hill, actor Sir John Mills and comedy writer Barry Cryer.

Morecambe, whose real name was Eric Bartholomew, was one half of the legendary comic double act Morecambe & Wise with his partner Ernie Wise.

The library exhibition features a range of Morecambe-related items

A record 28m viewers watched their 1977 Christmas show on BBC One.

Andrew Till, library manager, told BBC Radio Lancashire: "There is absolutely all sorts here – they give a glimpse behind the glasses."

The exhibits include an invite from Cryer to attend a comedy auction and another from actor Sir John Mills inviting him to join a select private members' club.

One of the letters is from Morecambe's mother Sadie congratulating his fiancé and later wife Joan on their engagement.

"He was a legend everybody loved him," said Mr Till.

"In Morecambe today no matter how old you are everyone's heard of Eric – even the school children who come to visit the library," he added.

Morecambe and Wise were the biggest BBC TV stars of the 70s

Mr Harrop, who runs the Manchester Postal Museum which is based in Southern Cemetery in Chorlton, said he was pleased to loan the letters to the library.

"When they came up for auction it was a chance too good to miss," he said.

The exhibition, which includes other memorabilia, ends in September.