MERSEYSIDE country and folk singer Charlie Landsborough has been inducted into The British Country Music Hall of Fame.

The popular singer received his award on stage on his 70th birthday.

He joked: “What a birthday present that was. It was a wonderful surprise.”

After 22 years of working as a teacher and playing small venues in Birkenhead, Landsborough’s career rocketed when he played What Colour is the Wind – his breakthrough single – on Irish television in 1994.

Suddenly his album was keeping the likes of The Chieftains and Celine Dion off the top spot in Ireland and he was off to Nashville to meet his heroes.

He has now sold almost one million albums, and plays to packed venues around the country.

Lee Williams, president of the British Country Music Awards, said: “I have known Charlie from the beginning of his career and was one of the first to interview him.

“I had great pleasure in giving him the award. He is alongside some of the many British Country Music greats who, like Charlie, have given so much talent to audiences all over the world, showing that Britain can produce top-class singers, songwriters, and musicians.”

Charlie has toured twice a year since 1995 and last year he returned to Australia for a major tour as well as playing a successful raft of dates across the UK and Ireland.

At his concerts Charlie and his five-piece band are well known for regaling fans with anecdotes from their travels.

Most fans will know that Charlie released his autobiography, Storyteller, published by Trinity Mirror in 2009. It has proved so popular it is already in reprint.

The book details his early years in Birkenhead where he grew up, with all its attendant struggles, his time in the Army, his Christianity, the many years of teaching.

Then, in his 50s, it tells of his musical success.

Landsborough said: “I have been so very lucky. Now, at the age of 70, to be rewarded again for doing something I love by the people I respect is more than I could ever have expected.

“The British Country Music team gave me a chance right at the beginning, and they have encouraged me all the way. Country music is thriving in the UK and Ireland at the moment. We’ve got a lot of young people starting to play and coming to the concerts, which is wonderful.”

Charlie’s son Jamie is also a musician and tours as the rhythm guitarist in his live band.

The proud father said: “It’s a pleasure to have him in the band, and he plays a solo set every night too.”