LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND.-The work of a disabled sculptor who died in August will be saved thanks to a prestigious arts award. Adam Reynolds will be posthumously awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at this Thursday's DaDaAwards ceremony. Sculptor Adam died in August 2005, aged just 45. The award will not only recognise the significant contribution that he made to disability arts in the UK, but the £500 prize money will save one of his sculptures from being lost forever. The cash will enable the sculpture to be moved from its present home in Birmingham to Devon, where its future will be secure. Adam's long-time friend Laurie Peake of Liverpool's Biennial arts festival will accept the award on his behalf.

The DaDaAwards, which take place at the Crowne Plaza in Liverpool, are held as part of the deaf and disability arts festival, DaDaFest. The festival, which is now in its fifth year, is co-ordinated by North West Disability Arts Forum (NWDAF), and funded by the Liverpool Culture Company, Arts Council England and the Granada Foundation.

Liverpool City Council's executive member for culture, Councillor Warren Bradley, said: "DaDaFest in the UK's biggest deaf and disability arts festival, and I am delighted that Liverpool is leading the way in delivering such an important, ground-breaking event.

"The DaDaAwards are a chance to celebrate the fantastic work being produced in the North West, and raise the profile of deaf and disability arts as a major cultural force."

The ceremony will be hosted by Anne Cunningham and Natalie Markham from comedy group, the Nasty Girls, who will be joined by fellow comic Laurence Clark. Musical entertainment will be provided by singer Minika Green, who is set to perform a blues and jazz influenced set.

Ruth Gould, Creative Director at NWDAF, said: "The fact that the North West has so many deaf and disabled artists worthy of recognition is a credit to the strength of the region's arts scene.

"Over the past five years we have seen DaDaFest develop into a major festival, attracting visitors from across the UK and beyond, and I look forward to continuing to build on this success as we approach European Capital of Culture in 2008."

DaDaFest runs until 3 December 2005 at venues across Merseyside. Remaining listings follow below. For more information, visit the North West Disability Arts Forum's website: www.nwdaf.co.uk.