COMEDIANS well-versed in entertaining audiences for television shows and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival will be bringing their wit and humour to the upcoming Darlington Comedy Festival.

The annual event was first held in 2011 and has seen dozens of comics host a wealth of events across the town each summer.

For 2019, organisers have announced a month-long line-up of popular acts who will perform stand-up shows throughout July.

The festival begins on July 1, with Rob Deering bringing hid one-man soundscape show to Darlington, along with his interactive quiz show, Beat This.

Audiences can catch a stand-up show almost every day until July 31, including the Hilarity Bites New Act of the Year grand final which will take place at Hole in the Wall, off the Market Square, on July 15.

TV comic, Alun Cochrane, who also presents a show on Absolute Radio with Frank Skinner each weekend is set to be a popular headliner, when Brave New Alun lands at The Old English Gentleman on July 10.

Hilarity Bites, which runs comedy events in the North-East and Yorkshire are behind the highly-regarded festival. Festival organiser, Neil Jollie said: "Every year I think the festival can’t get any better, but I think we’ve surpassed ourselves this year with an immense line-up featuring some of the most popular and best reviewed acts of recent times, and several people who will be familiar to those who get their regular dose of comedy from TV, radio, and online.

"With most shows costing only £5, there’s no better time to come and discover live comedy."

8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown dictionary corner favourite, Tom Binns, will be bringing his Psychic Comedium show to the festival and influential parenting blogger, Sam Avery aka The Learner Parent will be performing live on the final night of the festival.

It is hoped the festival will encourage audiences to see new up-and-coming acts on the comedy circuit too.