The search is on for the next Mrs Merton as Wythenshawe residents are about to learn how to tickle an audience's funny bone with a free stand-up comedy course.

The 12-week course starts today (Monday 6 September) at 6-8pm at Wythenshawe Forum and is open to any Wythenshawe resident over 18 years old.

Ashley Boroda, comedian and agent to award-winning stand-up acts, is running the course, on his return from performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

The course, which is funded by Manchester City Council, provides a step-by-step guide to becoming a stand-up comedian, from writing material to microphone technique. Students will learn to source material, study comedic styles, and learn performance and confidence-building skills.

Councillor Mike Amesbury, Executive Member for Culture and Leisure at Manchester City Council, said: "The stand-up comedy course is part of our cultural regeneration programme. It ran in Wythenshawe last year for the first time and generated some terrific results because it gave people the chance to hone their natural skills with professional tuition.

"And, because the course is all about developing confidence and presentation techniques, those skills can be used in other areas of life too. I hope we find the next Caroline Aherne or Mrs Merton!"

When they complete the course participants will take centre stage at a special showcase night at the The Comedy Store in Manchester city centre and will receive a DVD of their 15 minutes of fame.

Case study

Last year 45-year-old Lewis Jones from Woodhouse Park went on the first comedy course held in Wythenshawe.

Lewis has four children and is a station manager for Oceansky Jet Centre at Manchester Airport. He decided to go on the course after years of hearing family and friends telling him that he should be on stage. This is his experience in his words:

"The comedy course was a brilliant experience and opened doors to me, so that I now perform stand-up comedy at venues around the region. I plan to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival next year.

"During the course we were taught how to write material, where the emphasis was on creating your own work and not using other people's jokes.

"I've always had the sense of humour where I find day-to-day situations funny and my all time comic hero is Tommy Cooper.

"I rehearse my jokes and lines on my kids - and they can be the toughest audience to crack!

"I was 45 last week, so I'm the oldest newcomer to comedy and I'm loving every moment of it."

For more information about the Wythenshawe Comedy Course, please contact Dawn Warriner on 0161 499 7778 or email d.warriner@manchester.gov.uk