A BRAND new comedy club is set to launch in Whitehaven, with stand-up circuit favourites set to visit the region.

The new regular showcase event launches at the Rosehill Theatre on Saturday August 25, with some highly-regarded names on the bill.

Presented by Mirth Control Comedy, four performers will join forces for this opening night.

Compering the event will be Carl Jones, a Midlands comic who first hit the circuit in 2011 after winning the Nottingham Comedy Festival Best Newcomer title in his first handful of gigs. He has gone on to reach the BBC New Comedy Award heats, the latter stages of numerous national new act competitions, and to gig at some of the top comedy clubs across the UK.

He's a regular contributor to BBC Radio's comedy output and his writing can be heard on Newsjack, The Show What You Wrote and, most recently, as additional writer on BBC Radio 4's The News Quiz.

Also appearing is Karen Bayley, whose friendly and confident stage presence, combined with a killer wit, infectious giggle and some devastating one-liners, makes her a comedic force to be reckoned with.

She will be followed by Rob Crosbie, described as an "entertaining master of the macabre" with "cheeky Scottish charm", who has been running Raw Guffaw stand-up nights in Dumfries for several years.

Headliner for the evening is Tony Vino - the only half-Spanish, half-Scottish working comic.

He has been a professional comedian for more than 10 years, touring both nationally and internationally, and was a finalist in the 2006 Funny Bones competition.

He is best known for seamlessly mixing observational humour with audience interaction and quick-witted responses, all performed in a warm, friendly and non-offensive style.

Rosehill's Comedy Club also has the next two dates confirmed, on September 29 and November 24.

This opening night, on Saturday August 25, starts at 8pm and tickets are available from the venue's box office.