Bradford's Bag of Quips comedy club is offering an exclusive taster of what some of the nation's brightest new comics will be taking to the Edinburgh Festival this summer.

Edinburgh Previews, running from June 4-9, presents a range of comedy talent, from household names to up-and-coming stand-ups.

Acts include Dan Atkinson, who has appeared on BBC Radio Five Live, BBC 3's Bodyhits and opened a debate with Tony Blair for Channel 4.

And on June 15 the new season of Bag of Quips monthly stand-up nights continues with a gig headlined by Dan Evans, whose writing credits include The Very World of Milton Jones for Radio 4, Rory Bremner Who Else? and The Eleven O'Clock Show, both for Channel 4, and The Joan Rivers Position on Five.

Based at the Alhambra Studio, Bag of Quips has quite a reputation for featuring some of the finest acts on the circuit. Previous acts have included Phoenix Nights stars Justin Moorhouse and Toby Foster, Chris Addison of BBC 2's political comedy The Thick of It and Alan Carr, co-host of Channel 4's Friday Night Project.

Comedy is no longer the domain of big city clubs where rising comics bite the dust as soon as they step up to the mic. Over the past decade comedy clubs have sprung up in the unlikeliest venues, from village halls to backstreet pubs, giving rise to a new breed of regional comedy.

Bradford district has its fair share of comedy clubs, with the Hilton Hotel, Otley Courthouse and Coopers Bar in Guiseley all presenting big names over the past few years. Harrogate Theatre's Hyena Comedy Club, the Trades Club at Hebden Bridge and Dick and Liddys at Halifax's Victoria Theatre are other popular comedy spots in the area.

Leeds-born comic Charlie Chuck, who won cult status playing Uncle Peter on The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer in the 1990s, honed his physical comedy skills in northern clubs. A couple of years ago he launched the Laughter Lounge comedy club at Otley, later transferring to Guiseley, and he says small venues can attract big names.

"We got headliners from the Jongleurs and Comedy Store circuit at the Laughter Lounge," says Charlie. "Why should audiences go to London or other big cities for good comedy? Playing smaller venues is a good way for comics to get known, especially local ones."

Comedian and actor Thomas Aldersley ran an independent comedy club in Manchester and co-founded the Skipton-based Sheep Town Theatre Company. He's keen to take productions and comedy acts to pubs, community centres and church halls around the region.

"Humour gets people through difficult situations, that was re-affirmed while we were researching a black comedy about the impact of foot and mouth on local communities," he says. "Our aim is to bring to the stage stories of local life and people that may otherwise go untold, and to highlight rural issues that often go unnoticed. These stories are as much a part of stand-up as they are drama."

Ben Schofield, a comic from Allerton, got an early break at Bag of Quips after stepping up to a have a go' slot in 2001, and he went on to compere at the comedy club. "I watching an act, turned to my friends and said, glibly, that I could do better," he says. "Next thing I was doing an open-mic slot. It went down well. After that I kept gigging and making contacts in the business."

Ben was spotted by Leeds promoter Toby Jones who signed him for a residency at Harrogate Theatre's Hyena comedy club. Now he's one of the country's fastest-rising comics.

"It's easier for comics starting up now because there are smaller comedy clubs everywhere," says Ben. "In the past you had to go to London but now you can learn your craft anywhere, not just at the bigger clubs. They're sprouting up in pubs, hotels, all over."

Edinburgh Previews showcases the following comics: Dan Atkinson, with his debut stand-up show about "philosophy and throwing meat out of hot air balloons"; Simon Brodkin, winner of the Writer's Guild Award for Best Newcomer at the Fringe in 2006; Alex Horne with his show Birdwatching, about a year spent competing with his eager twitcher' dad at spotting the most birds over the course of a year; Russel Kane, with a mix of stand-up and sketches; Mark Olver, a "good-natured Bristolian stand-up;" and Steve Williams with new show Binge Thinking.

Headlining the next Bag of Quips is Dan Evans, described as "silly and playful with a sparkling personality", and support is from Benny Boot with his own brand of fast-paced, surreal, off-beat comedy. The compère is newcomer Jason Cook.

Other acts over coming months include Gordon Southern, Al Pitcher, Martin Bigpig, Mick Ferry and Junior Simpson.

Edinburgh Previews runs at the Alhambra Studio from June 4-9. Bag of Quips is on Friday, June 15. For all tickets ring (01274) 432000 or visit www.bradford-theatres.co.uk