A STAND-UP comedy club in Darwen could face the final curtain as laughter fans lose their sense of humour.

The Humour Section at the newly refurbished Darwen Library Theatre on Knott Street opened to a packed audience in May with top comedian Rob Newman.

But six months on, dwindling crowds at 200-plus capacity theatre have reduced audiences to fewer than 50.

Organiser Mick Davies (pictured), the man who brought the Rubber Chicken Comedy Club to Blackburn, which also closed, fears his latest venture may be doomed if crowds don't pick up and is urging people to give the club a try.

"People are always saying there is nothing to do in Darwen but when you put it on plate for them, no one bothers," said Mick, who lives on Bolton Road in the town.

"They just want to stay at home and watch the telly." The Humour Section takes over the Library Theatre on the second Friday of each month and features a full-length one-man show.

Past acts include comedy giants Johnny Vegas and Ross Noble, and Mick has travelled to the Edinburgh Festival to secure more top talent for Darwen.

On November 10 funny man Nick Wilty, star of Channel 4's 'Outer Limits' takes the stage, followed by twice Perrier Award nominee Dominic Holland, a regular on Have I Got News For You and Never Mind The Buzzcocks, on December 8.

But unless the comedy crowd return to Darwen, the December date could be the club's last.

Mick said: "They are good acts, as good as anything you'll see in Manchester. I'd love to keep it going but I'm not making a living. If I had two or three years and £10,000 to throw at it, it would eventually gain a reputation.

"It's a shame to let it wither on the vine because the people that have been coming love it and the acts enjoy performing here.

"There are half a million people in Darwen so it shouldn't be that difficult to find 200 people who like a good laugh."