A BOLTON shopping centre has been shortlisted for a top marketing award in recognition of its search for the town’s next top comic talent.

Crompton Place enlisted the help of funnyman Dave Spikey, along with Bolton’s Octagon theatre, to run Comedy Club, which was launched on April Fool’s Day last year, and the multi-award winning comedian was there to judge the final of the project.

People of all ages across the town were urged to enter and share a joke, short standup routine or funny gimmick before being whittled down to a two-stage heat in which successful candidates performed a short routine.

The prize on offer was their very own stand-up show at the Octagon.

So successful was the search, won by Bolton dad Chris Kehoe, a barrister from Smithills, that it has now been shortlisted for a Purple Apple Award in the tactical marketing communications category.

The annual accolades recognise and reward shopping and town centre marketing in the UK retail property sector. The awards ceremony will take place in London on May 7.

Crompton Place manager Paula Wood said: “Comedy Club was a first for us and we are thrilled with its success.

“With Bolton being home to so many fantastic comedians, including Peter Kay, Paddy McGuinness and our head judge Dave Spikey, its primary aims were to celebrate the comic talent which the town has produced and to provide a special springboard for a new, up-and-coming stand-up such as Chris, who went down a storm at the Octagon theatre last year.

“To now find we have been shortlisted for this top industry marketing award is the icing on the cake.”

Mr Kehoe, aged 35, said he was delighted to hear the Comedy Club project had brought industry recognition to Crompton Place.

He took top slot in the competition and was supported on the night of his Octagon theatre gig by comic character actress Cassie Atkinson, of Chorley New Road, who took second place in the competition.

The talented new comic has since gained paid stand-up work and his new comic career continues to thrive as he prepares for one of his biggest gigs at The Comedy Store in Manchester in July.

He said: “I have been gigging regularly since I won Comedy Club and The Comedy Store in July is a big gig for me.

"I am hopeful that I am now performing where I may get better recognition in the industry.

“There is no doubt Comedy Club at Crompton Place was a great win for me and was a terrific springboard for my stand-up career."