GET ready for a barrel load of laughs with the fourth annual Colchester Comedy Festival.

The festival gets its official launch tonight at the Headgate Theatre, one of the more recent venues to be included in the ever expanding programme which includes films, workshops, competitions, and of course plenty of stand-up.

Co-ordinating the festival once again will be Hazel Humphreys.

She says: "I'm honoured to be doing it again. The Colchester Comedy Festival Team have worked hard to try to put Colchester on the map and to deliver a diverse and fun festival at multiple venues with shows and prices to suit all tastes and budgets.

"Yet again we are proud to be providing a platform to local talent, with the popular Colchester New Comedian of the Year competition and the brand new Laugh a Minute comedy video competition."

The challenge for the Laugh A Minute competition was to make a funny video lasting 60 seconds or less, the shortlist of which will be shown as part of the festival launch at The Headgate from 7pm. The winners will be announced during the festival with the last presentation made at Final of Colchester New Comedian Of The Year on October 16 at Colchester Arts Centre.

And when it comes to the Colchester New Comedian Of The Year, organisers are promising a home grown affair with the majority of entrants being Colchester based.

The three heats all take place The Mercury Theatre Studio on October 5, 12, and 13 with each one headlined by an established act such as Carly Smallman and Charmian Hughes. The audience will then choose their favourite act which will go through to the final.

Hazel adds: "We're also hoping to nurture more emerging talent with comedy workshops and have free shows organised by up and coming local comedians and volunteers helping out at our events, making Colchester Comedy Festival a true community festival helping the people of Colchester keep laughing in October."

As in previous years as well as encourage the Colchester comedy acts of the future, the festival has attracted some of the biggest names in the business.

That includes Rich Hall and Miles Jupp at the Mercury, Lucy Porter, Simon Munnery and Jo Caulfield at the Arts Centre, and new for this year a couple of stand-up evenings at the Headgate Theatre with Rosie Wilby and Jessica Fostekew on October 10 and Jay Sodagar, Dave Green and Ben Akers the following night.

Also in the programme will be a series of comic films at Firstsite and a festival favourite with the return of Darren Gooding's A Mayor of Colchester.

This year on October 12 and 15, Darren is leading a comedic tour of the town with attendees being advised to bring stout walking underwear and a change of opinion.

Colchester Comedy Festival takes place from Tomorrow, October 1, to October 16.

For more information go to www.colchestercomedyfestival.co.uk

OUR TOP FIVE BEST OF THE FEST

Carl and Jo's Comedy Cream, Minories Tea Room, High Street, October 3, 6.45pm. Pay What You Can.

A SHOWCASE of some of the best local comedy talent around led by former Colchester New Comedian Of The Year finalists Jo Fletcher-Cross and Carl Denham.

Miles Jupp, Mercury Theatre, Balkerne Gate, October 3, 7.30pm. £19.

THE host of the News Quiz on Radio 4 makes a welcome return talking about all the wonders of the modern world which, in his own words, 'discombobulate' him.

Old Macdonald and the Three Little Pigs, Colchester Arts Centre, Church Street, workshop 11am, show 1.30pm. £8 workshop and show, £4.95 show.

BOOSTER Cushion prove comedy can be for kids to with a fun workshop and show that includes both mime and slapstick.

Blazing Saddles, Firstsite Art Gallery, St Botolph's, Colchester, October 10, 7pm. £4, £3 concessions.

WITH the recent passing of comedy legend Gene Wilder what more reason to do you need to go and see this classic.

Simon Munnery, Colchester Arts Centre, Church Street, October 14, 7.30pm. £12, £10 concessions.

STILL one of the most unique comedy talents in this country - a must see!