AMERICAN entertainer W C Fields may have been best known for his witty one-liners.

But now researchers believe his sense of humour could be more British than they thought after it was revealed that his family actually originated from Tameside.

Fields, who died in 1946 at the age of 66, was a comedian, actor, writer and even juggler whose trademark mumbling patter and sarcastic asides made him a household name.

He lived in America and starred in more than 30 films including ‘My Little Chickadee’ and ‘The Bank Dick’.

Although he became famous as W C Fields, it is claimed he was christened William Claude Dukenfield and is a descendant of the lords of the manor of Dukinfield.

The local link was discovered by the town’s district assembly which now hope to bring the star’s grandson Ronald, who lives in San Francisco, over to see where his ancestors lived. They also hope to erect a blue plaque in the town.

Cllr Brian Wild said: "People of my age will just about remember W C Fields but to older people he was a Hollywood legend. It would be absolutely fantastic if we could get his grandson over here.  He has expressed that he would like to come over but we can’t ask him to foot the bill and as a district assembly we haven’t got that kind of money.  I know times are hard but if you don’t ask you don’t get so what we’re looking for is anybody out there who would like to sponsor the trip."

Despite his death W C Fields still lives on in popular culture today.

Several books have been written about his life and he also appeared on the cover of the Beatles 1967 album Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.

He joins a host of famous faces with links to the town including John Mackintosh, founder of the world-famous confectionary company, racing driver Tony Brooks and more recently Last of the Summer Wine actress Kathy Staff.

Anyone interested in sponsoring the trip can call the Advertiser on 0161 3397611 or contact Cllr Wild on 0161 3082685.