Life is certainly a laugh a minute for Saltaire funnyman Mark Rough now that his comedy club has taken off.

Earlier this year the Telegraph & Argus reported on the launch of his Fnrr Fnrr Comedy Club at the village's Fanny's Ale and Cider House following his appearance in the regional finals of the London-based Comedy Store's Hooch Open Mic Awards.

Since then scores of punters have been attending the monthly comedy nights with Mark also appearing at venues throughout the region.

And putting beer and comedy together has been so successful that Mark - who has given up his job as a training and development consultant to pursue a career as a stand-up comic - is now offering people the chance to enjoy a barrel of laughs at pubs in Yeadon, Bradford, Huddersfield and Wakefield.

And he is even planning to offer diners a line-up of "korma" comedians by taking the club to Bradford's Shah Jehan Restaurant.

Meanwhile the Sunderland-born comic has formed his own management company, Ruffcutt Management, and is looking to sign up local talent to perform at Fnrr Fnrr.

Mark, who has lived in Saltaire for three years and bases much of his humour on life in Yorkshire from a north-easterner's perspective, said: "Traditionally, comedy dies over the summer because it tends to rely on students so we're trying to buck the trend although we don't rely exclusively on students anyway.

"I decided to do this instead of waiting until September to trail round the comedy circuit. The club's been really successful and we now want to replicate the Fanny's experience elsewhere.

"Fanny's will still be the home base but we're planning to run the others fortnightly and there will now be four or five Fnrr Fnrr clubs. I'm also hoping to build up a stable or collective of comedians and bands and would like to hear from anyone interested in getting involved."

Forthcoming Fnrr Fnrr dates include the Queen's Hotel, Thornton Road, Bradford on Tuesday and Tuesday, July 21; Yeadon's Tut and Shive on Wednesday and July 22; the Head of Steam at Huddersfield on Sunday, July 26; Fanny's in Saltaire Road Monday; Bradford's Fates and Firkin Monday, July 20; Mr Clarke's in Wakefield on July 13; and the Shah Jehan Restaurant in Bradford on Thursday, July 23.

All the sessions start at 7.30pm and admission is free except at Fanny's, where club-goers will be charged £1, and the restaurant where a £10 charge includes a three-course meal.

Two special free teatime sessions are being lined up for the Fates and Firkin at 5pm on Wednesday, and Friday.

Any acts interested in joining the Fnrr Fnrr team can contact Mark on (01274) 598981 or 0831 297267.

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