"in victoria's golden age when ladies knew their station, they dressed themselves in crinolines to save men from temptation."

It is lyrics like these that have helped things "turn out nice again" for a York songwriter and ukulele player who's picked up an international George Formby award.

Paul Culkin, of Lawrence Street, won the Stanley King Trophy at the George Formby Society's annual songwriting competition.

Paul, 49, beat entrants from the US and Sweden with his song Strolling Down Blackpool Prom.

Cheeky references to "funny cigarettes" and "slappers" ensured victory for the Formby fan whose lyrics could have been sung by the great man himself.

"It was great to win," said Paul, who also won the trophy in 1995.