COMIC actress Sue Devaney is encouraging budding stand-ups in Bolton to enter a competition to find the town’s next big thing.

People of any age can enter the Comedy Club contest at Crompton Place by sending in a joke, short stand-up routine or funny gimmick to be in with a chance of being shortlisted for the heats which are taking place next week.

Former Dinnerladies and Coronation Street star Sue has shown her support for the contest and funny man Dave Spikey will help judge the final on Wednesday, May 28.

The person crowned Bolton’s King or Queen of Comedy will get the opportunity to perform live at a specially organised gig at the Octagon Theatre in front of a paying audience later this year.

Sue, aged 46, is no stranger to the town — she recently lent her support to The Octagon Prize, set up by the theatre to encourage new writers, and also starred as one of the leads in the theatre’s production of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice by Jim Cartwright.

She said: “Crompton Place’s Comedy Club is a terrific idea which has the potential to offer a new Bolton talent the chance to perform their work to a paying audience, and who knows where that might lead them?

“I have performed at the Octagon myself in some wonderful comedy dramas. It is a fantastic theatre where I have enjoyed some very memorable performances.

“I would urge anyone who enjoys making people laugh and thinks they might like to take it that step further on to gather your best jokes and enter Comedy Club.”

Next to Dave Spikey on the final judging panel will be Crompton Place manager Malcolm Angus, who said: “We are very thankful to Sue for helping us encourage entries for Comedy Club which really could be a fantastic springboard for people of any age looking for their break into the world of stand-up.

“It is not long now until the heats start so we are keen to attract as many bright, Bolton comedy talents as possible.”

For more information and to enter, visit crompton-place.co.uk.