THE first-ever York Comedy Festival has been hailed as a huge success.

During the week-long event more than 50 of the country's best comedians and performers appeared in the city.

Big names such as Tommy Tiernan, Daniel Kitson, Lee Mack, Tim Vine and Hattie Hayridge appeared alongside many of the hottest new acts on the circuit. In addition to stand-up, the festival included script workshops, art exhibitions, film screenings, street theatre, and a children's mini-festival.

The festival's National Talent Hunt, a competition to find the UK's best new comedian, attracted an impressive line-up and was won by Rhod Gilbert.

The festival was set up as a private enterprise by creative agency stone soup and The Other Side Comedy Club, in response to the lack of major comedy events in the area.

Gillian Cruddas, chief executive of York Tourism Bureau, said: "The comedy festival has been a huge hit with both residents and visitors. York's festival programme just gets better and better. The quality of performances during the week was extremely high and the organisers have done the city proud. We're looking forward to an even bigger and better comedy festival next year."

Festival spokesman Tom Sharp said: "We're delighted that so many people enjoyed the festival. From the interest and support we've received next year's event is going to be even more fantastic."

Updated: 10:43 Tuesday, July 08, 2003