SOME of the country’s top comics could soon be gracing the stage of Darwen Library Theatre after the launch of a new comedy club.

Phoenix Nights star Justin Moorhouse and TV panel show regulars such as Rob Rouse are among the stars coming to town in the regular event, which launches next month.

The first show on Saturday, January 31, will see Northern Irish comedian Martin Mor, who has a string of Edinburgh Fringe and TV appearances under his belt, introduce Preston-born Dan Nightingale, who has appeared on Sky One’s ‘John Bishop’s Only Joking’, Liverpudlian comedy rock performer Mitch Benn, best known for appearing on BBC radio, and winner of the 2013 New Comedy Award Steve Bugeka.

Organiser Rob Riley, who has been organising comedy nights since 2001, said: “We made some small, tentative steps in Darwen about five years ago but, unfortunately, the bar we were in stopped trading.

“I liked the town, though, and the audiences were really up for it yet still shrewd enough to appreciate a quality act and I think that is important.

“Darwen’s nightlife is certainly attracting people from all over East Lancs and further afield at the moment.

“The shows at King George’s have sold out consistently for two years so we will get some of the overspill but I am really hoping to attract the people who currently spend upwards of £30 a ticket to see a TV name in a huge impersonal arena.

“I want to show them that there are a couple of hundred, relatively unknown circuit acts out there who will make you laugh twice as hard for a lot less dosh.

“A lot of the acts will be familiar. We have Comedy Store and Frog and Bucket regulars for those who already see live comedy plus acts from shows including Mock The Week and The Now Show.

“John Bishop, Sarah Millican and Jason Manford have all popped into my other shows to test out bits of new material so we will just have to wait and see!”

Lined up to perform on March 7 is MC Mick Ferry, who has appeared on ‘Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow’, Tom Binns, whose TV credits include Spooks, IT Crowd and Crossroads, who performs as ‘Ivan Brackenbury’s Hospital Radio Roadshow’ and ‘Ian D Montfort, Spirit Medium’, and newcomer Peter Brush.

Justin Moorhouse will be MC on Saturday, April 4, when ‘8 Out Of 10 Cats’ regular Rob Rouse will perform as well as Gary Delaney, who has appeared on Mock the Week and is married to Sarah Millican, and, finally, BBC Radio Two New Comedy Award 2014 finalist Brennan Reece.

Tickets cost £10 in advance or £12 on the door.

Call 01254 706006 to book.