A premier Elvis Presley tribute artist from Addingham outshone dozens of other singers to take top prize in a prestigious contest.

Congatulations from both sides of the Atlantic have been pouring in for local musician Andy Wood since his recent victory in one of the world’s largest Elvis festivals in Porthcawl, South Wales.

Porthcawl is also home to one of the largest fringe festivals during this long weekend festival where over 20 venues in and around the town take part including the main entertainment venue The Hi-Tide Inn. The Hi-Tide puts on over 100 Elvis shows during the weekend, many of which are free.

Andy performed at many of the venues including being one of the very few selected artists who performed headline shows in a Grand Cabaret Marquee.

Along with one other Elvis tribute artist, Andy performed on the Friday in the marquee, which was the opening show of the New Festival Village. This show was sold out within a couple of months of it being advertised after the 2010 Festival.

Although a Presley fan for much of his life, and already an accomplished musician, Andy only began to perform his tribute act in recent years, feeling he could never fill Elvis’ blue suede shoes.

His reputation has been on the up ever since. He was recently in the top ten of the King of the World contest in Memphis, and as well as making a return to the States for next year’s Memphis Week, he has been selected as one of only four British Elvis tribute artists to perform on The King Tribute Cruise, which sets sail from Sydney in November 2012.

Andy will also feature in the second of two coffee table books due to be published in the next few weeks.

However, he has not forgotten his fans back home in Wharfedale.

Despite the very busy schedule, he still performs locally, and will take to the stage at The Hollygarth Social Club in Ilkley shortly.

He is still involved with local fundraising events.