Plain thingy award for that bloke wots'isname

MHF president Dr Ian Banks has received the sort of accolade that all writers crave: a Plain English Campaign award.

The award, which was presented by Private Eye editor Ian Hislop at a ceremony in London last month, was for the latest in Ian's hit series of health manuals published by Haynes, Cancer. The manual, written in a straightforward, easy-to-read style, was commissioned by the MHF and published to coincide with last year's National Men's Health Week.

Chrissie Mayer, founder director of the Plain English Campaign awards said: 'Our judges thought the book was a great example of how an appropriate tone and style can be just as important as the content. The language is pitched at the right level: informative and authoritive but light-hearted and friendly. The reader can find their way around the guide without getting that dreaded feeling of being back in school.'

Ian said: 'I am delighted for the MHF and Haynes but this was very much a collaborative effort by the many organisations who contributed to the book.'

Well done Ian.

• In true Private Eye style, how could we resist a caption competition?

  What is the Private Eye editor saying to Ian and Matthew Minter of Haynes?

  Our favourite so far - which appears above - is from a wag named Eiileen. Prize for the funniest printable one. 

• You can buy Cancer plus the other manuals in Ian's Haynes series and many other books through the MHF bookshop. The Forum gets a small percentage from each sale. Visit the bookshop here.