Thirteen women took to the stage for their seven minutes of fame hoping to progress to the Funny Women Comedy Awards final in London next month.

Under the watchful eye of sweet and bubbly Lucy Porter, who once lived just a stone's throw away from Bar XS where we were, each turn gave it their all to a highly responsive audience.

The rules stated that each performer could have a maximum of three years experience of stand-up, so there was a mix of seasoned performers and stand-up virgins, and regardless of experience they all oozed confidence.

All tastes were catered for, all subject covered from breasts and Rohypnol to a song about Mick Hucknall and a very funny ditty about Lord of the Rings given the Suzanne Vega treatment.

It would be difficult, and perhaps a little unfair, to single out individual acts as the winner won't be announced until all the heats have been completed, but rest assured that some of the names listed on the right will become very familiar on the comedy circuit over the next few months if not on our TV screens. Watch this space!

Richard Fair

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