Two leading performers based in Keighley were winners in this week’s BBC Radio Two Folk Awards.

Steeton-based Tom McConville and the Demon Barbers — led by Haworth’s Damien Barber — won top awards.

The BBC awards are regarded as the Oscars of the British folk music world and recognise both legends and rising stars.

Tom, pictured, known on the UK’s folk circuit as the Newcastle Fiddle Player, was voted Musician of the Year.

The Barbers became Best Live Act for their renowned mix of folk-rock and energetic “rapper” dancing.

Tom is regarded by other folk musicians as one of the leading fiddle players of modern times.

He started out in Tyneside folk clubs in the late 1960s and supported many stars of the Irish music scene.

He has played on hundreds of albums and now, after ten years living in Steeton, continues to perform regularly at both tiny clubs and major festivals.

Tom this week told the Keighley News: “I feel on top of the world, especially sharing the award with another Keighley person, my old friend Damien — incredible.”

The Demon Barbers was formed by Damien around a decade ago and performs with a mix of traditional acoustic and modern instruments.

Damien became a leading light of the Black Swan Rappers who aimed to bring morris and clog dancing into the 21st century with dynamic routines. Damien yesterday said he had been “chuffed” to be nominated in the awards and even more so to win.

He said: “There’s been a lot of media coverage about traditional English dance over the last few weeks and not all of it good.

“Morris, rapper sword and clog have been at the centre of the Demon Barbers performances since we started in 2000 and it’s fantastic to have these traditions recognised by the awards.”

Martha Tilston, daughter of Keighley singer-songwriter Steve Tilston, was nominated for the Horizon Award for upcoming artists in the 2007 BBC Folk Awards.