Awards to rival the Perrier

Fringe audiences and critics will again be voting for their favourite shows in Edinburgh this year.

Strathmore Water hopes to take some of the spotlight off the rival Perrier awards with its £1,000 prizes, which started last year.

Visitors to the official Fringe website will be able to rate shows, with the show achieving the highest score by August 21 taking the audience award.

Last year this was won by Zipp!, the musical staring former Tory MP Giles Brandreth which transferred to the West End.

The critics' award is decided by those reviewers who choose to have a vote.

Last year's winner was hard-hitting US comedian Doug Stanhope (pictured) who now hosts
The Man Show on America's Comedy Central.

Strathmore Water's Anthony Habert said: "We are delighted to be back at the Fringe for 2003. Last year we set out to create two awards that encouraged people to get involved and take an active role in the Festival Fringe and we weren't disappointed.

"Thousands of people hit the website to leave reviews and vote and the press enjoyed the opportunity to have their say. These are real awards voted for by the people who count and help make the Festival Fringe what it is.

"They are also a barometer of true quality, as last year's winners have shown."

Published: 23 Jul 2003