THERE are a barrel load of laughs being lined-up for this year's Colchester Comedy Festival.

Now in its fourth year, in the short space of time it has been running the festival has really grown to become a firm fixture in the town's cultural calendar and with more venues and more big names, it looks set to continue that way come October.

This year there are nine venues taking part including The Waiting Room, Headgate Theatre, Firstsite and Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Leading the way once again will be the Colchester Arts Centre and the Mercury Theatre who between them will be hosting some of the biggest names on the UK comedy circuit such as Rich Hall, Miles Jupp, Jo Caulfield and the comedy legend that is Simon Munnery.

As well as the stand-ups Firstsite will be hosting a season of comedy films chosen by the likes of Colchester Mayor Julie Young, Firstsite director Sally Shaw, and Layer Marney’s Sheila Charrington, while arts centre director Anthony Roberts will be making his directorial debut with the The Play What I Wrote, a homage to Morecombe and Wise, at the Headgate Theatre.

It wouldn't be a Colchester Comedy Festival without Darren Gooding's uniquely surreally odd 'Mayor' and perhaps the highlight of the whole two weeks once again will be the New Comedian of The Year competition.

That returns again this time with 30 wannabe comics competing for the title and a new venue with several of the heats taking place in the Mercury Theatre's new Studio space. The final will take place, as always at the Colchester Arts Centre on Sunday, October 16.

Festival co-ordinator Hazel Humphries says: "The 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. We're also hoping to nurture more emerging talent with comedy workshops.

"We also have free shows organised by up and coming local comedians and volunteers helping out at our events, making the festival a true community event helping the people of Colchester keep laughing in October."

With the support of a Colchester Borough Council’s Festival Support grant, the Colchester Comedy Festival runs from October 1 to 16. For more information go to www.colchestercomedyfestival.co.uk