CLACTON looks set to become the comedy capital of the east coast.

Top comedy club Jongleurs is to open a new venue on the pier.

Classic and contemporary comedians will be taking the mic at the Boardwalk, every Saturday night from March 13.

Launching the venture will be one of the club’s top award-winning comedians, Ricky Grover.

The stand-up comedian and actor, from London’s East End, will be one of many big names to head for Clacton each week, and there are also plans to have a comedy festival in the summer.

Over the years, the comedy club has helped launch the careers of stars such as Eddie Izzard, Lee Evans, and Bill Bailey. Other big names on the books are Harry Hill, Jimmy Carr and Ricky Gervaise.

Jongleurs’ founder, Maria Kempinska, said: “Jongleurs is bringing comedy to Clacton as it unveils its fourth new venue.

“This is an incredibly exciting time for Jongleurs, and we anticipate the future being very bright indeed.”

Jongleurs will also open new venues this year at The Hammersmith Club, in London, the Tabernacle, in London’s Notting Hill and Coyote Ugly, in Bournemouth.

Pier owner Billy Ball said: “We are hopeful it will be very successful, and offer something new to the town and also have an effect on the local economy.”

He said he was keen to market the Boardwalk as a multi-purpose venue. During the daytime, it would be used by families, and at night and weekends, the venue would be used by a younger age group.

He said plans were also being drawn up for events during the summer, including bank holiday fireworks displays.

Mr Ball added “We want people to know the pier and the Boardwalk is a 52-week venue.”