Bradford Festival is launching a New Comic Of The Year Award.

Budding young comedians are being encouraged to enter the competition which carries a £250 cash prize, a trophy and the opportunity to perform at top comedy venues throughout the country.

The event, which has been launched with the aim of attracting the best undiscovered talent, is being run by the festival in association with stand-up comic Mark Rough, founder of Bradford's Fnrr Fnrr Comedy Club.

The heats and the final will be part of the entertainment when Bradford hosts its own Comedy Festival in the summer. Held over three nights under cover in Centenary Square, newcomers will have the opportunity to perform with established artists such as Mary Unfaithful, Mark Rough and Charlie Chuck.

Would-be funny people are asked to send a cassette containing some of their own material - sound quality is not important - and a brief CV to Mark Rough, Bradford Comedy Festival, Wool Exchange, Hustlergate, Bradford BD1 1RE. Closing date for applications is Tuesday, June 1.

Mark said: "Yorkshire is full of naturally talented and funny people, and we want to give individuals the opportunity to show off to the world that Northern humour is indeed the best.

"I got my first break from a competition similar to this and I've gone on to perform over 200 gigs in venues across the country."

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