Matt's Comedy Club in Worthing kicks off the 2016 schedule with the return of the BBC's go-to gag man for a string of hit comedies ...

Exiled Cornishman Paul Kerensa is a writer and comedian who is a regular at the UK's biggest venues, as well as winner of ITV's Take The Mike in 2002. In the same year, he appeared in four new act finals at the Edinburgh Festival, including the televised BBC New Comedy Awards.

For the very first time in its 66-year history, Worthing Music and Arts Festival is introducing an exciting new class for budding comedians � and the 1 November closing date for entries is fast approaching.

Entrants will be asked to perform three minutes of their own material � suitable for a family audience � upstairs at the Dome Cinema at a special evening event next February.

The Noise Next Door are the UK�s premier improv comedy troupe, and in recent years they have taken the comedy world by storm.

Now the Sussex-based favourites are set for a popular return to Matt's Comedy Club, where they sold out in 2014, with a headline gig at the Connaught Studio (STOP PRESS: now switched to the Connaught Theatre due to demand) on Tuesday 20 October.

Matt's Comedy Club returns with a New Material Open Mic Night on Thursday 6 August � it's a chance to see the cream of the local comedy circuit try out some new stuff. And there's always the possibility of one or two special guests popping in ...

The ever-popular literary performance group Worthing Wordies will be making a welcome return to the Ardington Hotel on Sunday June 14.

Their latest show Famous in Fiction promises a nostalgic romp through the world of books, presenting a host of unforgettable characters � from the heroic to the villainous, the cute and cuddly to the downright scary.

There's a cracking bill lined up at Matt's Comedy Club on 11 June at Worthing's Connaught Studio, with the return of TV regular Zoe Lyons.

Zoe created a huge buzz on the comedy circuit in 2004 when she won the 'Nivea Funny Women Award 2004' and reached the finals of 'Channel 4's So You Think You're Funny Award in the same year. As a result she has become a highly sought after act on both the national and international circuit.

Formed in Liverpool in 1978, Echo & the Bunnymen grew to become one of the UK�s most popular indie rock bands responsible for hit albums and singles such as The Cutter, Seven Seas, Bring on the Dancing Horses, The Killing Moon and Nothing Lasts Forever.

A unique trio blending amazing music and hilarious comedy include Matt's Comedy Club, Worthing on their 2015 Farewell Tour after more than 20 years of extraordinary shows.

Once seen, never forgotten: combining superb musicianship with side-splitting comic genius, the New Rope String Band are truly unique entertainers, and their astonishing show comes to the Connaught Studio on 9 April (8pm).

Think of a subject that has occupied poets, playwrights and storytellers since Man � and Woman � first put pen to paper. We�re talking Love, of course � and with Valentine�s Day fast approaching, the Worthing Wordies are getting into romantic mood as they prepare for their next performance.

On Sunday 15 February they�ll be making a welcome return to Worthing�s Ardington Hotel on Steyne Gardens for an exciting programme of staged readings on Love, Lust, Desire, Romance, Frustration, Jealousy � and a whole host of emotions to entice the listener.