COLCHESTER Comedy Festival is back this Autumn and once again its promising a whole host of laughs to split the toughest of sides.

The festival, now in its fifth year, runs from October 13 to 22 at multiple venues across Colchester so take your pick from a fantastic line-up of stand-up comedians at Colchester Arts Centre, Headgate Theatre or Charter Hall.

If you are feeling funny and fancy treading the boards join one of the comedy workshops at Firstsite or why not enter Colchester New Comedian Of The Year? With more than 15 events taking place over the ten days, highlights include Phill Jupitus, Jeremy Hardy, Jon Culshaw and Laurence Clarke at the Colchester Arts Centre, as well as the popular comedy club for kids.

Colchester Events Company will be welcoming London’s Comedy Store to Charter Hall with Jo Caulfield, Daliso Chaponda and Hal Cruttenden, while the Mercury Theatre is again hosting heats and the grand final of Colchester New Comedian of The Year in their Studio space.

And there's more local talent on offer with Carl Denham and Jo Fletcher Cross, fresh from their success at this year’s Edinburgh Festival, who will be compering a night of homegrown comedy talent at The Batte Lay Tea Rooms at The Minories.

The festival starts on Friday October 13 at The Headgate Theatre with Zahra Barri and Charmian Hughes.

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