COLCHESTER comedians are standing-up to racism this weekend.

Following an increase in reports of racism across the country, a group local comedians are putting on a special night of comedy at the Brewhouse in Colchester to raise money for anti-hate crime charities.

The night is being organised by Jo Fletcher-Cross, a finalist in the 2015 Colchester New Comedian of the Year competition, who has set up People Together, which aims to put on, and help others mount, events around the country to have fun and raise money.

Jo says: “The reports of an increase in hate crime are deeply depressing and I wanted to try and take some positive action.

"There’s no political agenda to these events. I absolutely don’t care and don’t want to get involved in how people voted in the referendum or which political party they support, the message is that racism or any other hate crime is absolutely never acceptable and there is no excuse for it.

“We’re very fortunate in Colchester to have some fine comedy talent and so we’re starting with a comedy night, but other events are also planned. We’ll be raising money for Stop Hate UK but I’d be really interested in hearing from charities in the Essex area that are involved in fighting racism as we’d like to support a local charity too.”

The gig takes place on Sunday, July 17, and has a packed line-up of local comics including James Sarek, Thomas Roy Edwards, Julia Watson, Scott Casey, Liam Sullivan, Jo Fletcher-Cross, Carl Denham, with Rob Saunders MCing proceedings.

The event runs from 7pm to 9pm at the Brewhouse, Queen Street, Colchester, with entry but a collection for Stop Hate UK.