Young comedian finals coming up

Now in its eighth year, Stand Out is a groundbreaking stand up comedy course for 14-18 year olds (it sez 'ere).

This year, 11 Stand Out course graduates from nine schools from across Merseyside, Lancashire and, erm, Strathclyde take to the stage to compete in the 2009 grand final.

John Bishop, stand up and member of Liverpool Comedy Festival Creative Group said: "Hosting the final last year was a great honour and the standard of all the entrants was exceptionally high.

"So much so I am sure we will be seeing Stand Out graduates on the UK circuit in the near future pushing fossils like me to make sure we are at the top of our game to keep up."

Les Dennis, patron of The Comedy Trust, added: "The Stand Out project is a brilliant idea. If it had existed when I was at school it would have been a massive help.

"Young people should be encouraged to follow their dream. Long may Stand Out continue."

High praise indeed.

The students get a six week course, taught by professional comedians, which aims to give young people a vehicle to improve their confidence, self-esteem, communication and presentation skills - and never mind the kiddiwinks, I could probably do with some of that myself.

In the last school year, more than 300 young people in 25 schools have taken part.

On Saturday night, the young comedians will battle it out in front of judges, with two winners being crowned on the night from different age categories (14-16 and 16-18).

Schools represented are: Maricourt RC High School, Maghull; Wade Deacon High School, Widnes; St Wilfrids RC High School, Litherland; Mosslands High School, Wallasey; St Mary's College, Wallasey; Hesketh Fletcher High, Atherton; Govan High School, Glasgow; St Wilfrids RC High School, Litherland; St Chads Catholic High School & Language College; and Runcorn Hillside High, Bootle.

For tickets, call 0870 787 1866 or visit thecomedytrust.com and click Stand Out.