Ab fab Rose for French and Saunders

The comedienees Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders are to become the first women to be awarded an honorary Golden Rose at the Montreux Television Festival.

The honour has been given only 10 times in the festival's 42-year history. Previous recipients include Benny Hill (1985), Monty Python (1985) and the BBC (1997). The award, formally known as the Rose d'Or d'Honneur, will be presented at the gala dinner of the festival in the Swiss town next week. The organisers said it was "for their unique contribution to television comedy".

A spokesman said: "The award recognises their work together as French and Saunders over the last 20 years as well as their solo series such as Absolutely Fabulous and The Vicar of Dibley." A year ago, Dawn French's husband, the comedian Lenny Henry, scooped a Golden Rose for his comedy sketch show, Lenny Henry in Pieces.