AFTER heats and quarter finals in London and Edinburgh, the hunt for the next comedy star is hitting York on Sunday at the Black Swan Inn, one of only three venues chosen to host the competition.

Following an intensive auditioning process, 15 of the best new acts in the country will perform five minutes of original material in this weekend’s north of England heat. Six winners, voted for by the audience and an industry panel, will progress to the evening final in an event previously won by Sarah Millican.

Hosted by Tom Taylor, Harrogate Comedian of the Year finalist and Sitting Room Comedy resident MC, the afternoon heat starts at 3.15pm and entry is £2. This heat includes a headlining set from rising star Fern Brady, a former So You Think You’re Funny finalist.

Fresh from his appearance on Stewart Lee’s Alternative Comedy Experience, Sitting Room Comedy favourite and Now Show writer Stephen Carlin returns to York to host the North of England final at 7.15pm. Tickets cost £5, NUS £4, and include entry to the afternoon heat.

Tickets are available from sittingroomcomedy.com or on the door. Sitting Room Comedy then returns to the Monkbar Hotel on Thursday, May 9 as part of the York Spring Festival. On May 28, Fern Brady hosts an evening of comedy at the Black Swan Inn.

The Amused Moose Laugh Off Awards, Black Swan Inn, York, Sunday, 3.15pm and 7.15pm.