NEXT month sees the start of the world’s biggest arts festival, the annual Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

And Bolton comedian Diane Morgan will be hoping to make her mark on the city with her sketch show, Two Episodes of MASH: A Sketch Show by These Two People.

The show is a collaboration with Joe Wilkinson, who plays the lovable buffoon to Diane’s dry cynicism.

“It’s quite deadpan,” says Diane. “One sketch we’ve got is where Rapunzel has installed an intercom system, so instead of climbing her hair the prince just buzzes up. They’re extraordinary situations done in a mundane way.”

Farnworth-born Diane starred alongside Peter Kay in Phoenix nights, and recently appeared on the comedy panel show Mock The Week. She often appears in a solo standup show, although for the last few months has been concentrating on two Episodes of MASH.

“We’re more excited now because the show’s pretty much prepared,” she says. “We’re used to the whole Edinburgh thing, and compared to doing standup this is quite relaxed.”

However, she does warn that any comedian thinking about taking a show to Edinburgh should be aware that the audiences are particularly discerning.

“I think the audiences are tougher — it’s definitely not an easy ride,” she says. “In London people are more accepting of a shambolic kind of comedy, whereas up in Edinburgh they expect a more polished show.”

The show is on at 4.20pm every day at the 10 Dome, part of the Pleasance Dome.