Falkirk comedy festival promises 'summer of laughs'

Falkirk has unveiled its first comedy festival, to be held this summer.

The programme includes more than 40 shows with the Scottish "comedy premier league" leading the line up, organisers at the Scottish Comedy Agency said.

There will be performances from established comedians Fred MacAulay and Tam Cowan, and rising stars like Kevin Bridges and Danny Bhoy.

The Funny in Falkirk festival will run from 23 July to 3 August, with 6,000 tickets available.

The event was commissioned by the Falkirk Business Improvement District (Bid) and has been backed by Falkirk Council.

Radio Scotland's Susan Calman and risqué ventriloquist Nina Conti will head up the female contingent, along with solo shows from Nigerian Andi Osho, local comedian Jojo Sutherland and Birmingham's Susan Murray.

Shows will be held at 10 venues in Falkirk, Stenhousemuir, Denny, Grangemouth and Bo'ness.

Young comedy fans will also be catered for with the Falkirk Kids Comedy Club at the old parish church.

Corrie Cuthbertson, chairwoman of the Falkirk Bid, said: "I'm delighted to see the staging of our first comedy festival in the town centre.

"If anyone needed another good reason to visit Falkirk this summer, this is it."