BELLY laughs aplenty are being promised by a North-East comedy club this year.

The Barnard Castle-based Funny Way To Be club has many household names included in its line-up for the New Year, starting with Andrew O’Neill and Paul F Taylor, at an event hosted by Hebburn actor, Alfie Joey, on Saturday, February 8.

Jenny Eclair brings her Eclairious tour to Barnard Castle on March 1. It will be the first time the comedienne has performed in the town where she once lived as a child.

Xtra Factor host Matt Richardson appears on March 22, followed by Channel 4’s Man Down actor Mike Wozniak, on April 26, supported by Nish Kumar.

Craig Campbell, who supported Frankie Boyle on his tour last year, appears during the comedy club’s Whit weekend show on May 24.

Pete Firman, who fuses magic tricks and comedy, is performing on June 21, supported by Steve Shanyaski, and Mock The Week favourite Jo Caulfield will appear on July 19.

Comedy actress Lucy Beaumont and Show Me The Funny winner Patrick Monahan will preview their Edinburgh Fringe shows during a special night of comedy on July 26.

All shows take place at The Witham, in Barnard Castle, at 8pm. Doors open at 7.30pm.

Organiser Peter Dixon said: “We are delighted to have secured such a wonderful array of top quality comics. There is something for everyone in these line-ups.”

Tickets prices vary. To book, visit funnywaytobe.com.