ONE night a year the sleepy town of Minchinhampton comes alive with the sound of laughter as hundreds pile into Minchinhampton Primary School for its annual Comedy Night.

The event, organised by parent Sophie Muir on behalf of the PTA, is hugely popular raising more than £1,000 for the school each year and this year was no exception, with tickets selling out in September.

Mother-of-three Sophie started the comedy night in 2011.

" I decided that Minchinhampton really needed an affordable local night out to gel together with friends for drink, food and comedy," she said.

"My boys all attend the school and there is always a need for extra money to be raised via the PTA.

"With the same small team of mums and dads helping I'd like to think we are now like a well oiled machine and that everyone that comes has a really great night out."

More than 200 comedy fans filled the assembly hall on Friday, March 7, and were treated to a fantastic evening of entertainment with a licensed bar and pies from Pure Pie.

Geoff Whiting was the perfect compere with some great audience participation and hilarious material - some of which came from a copy of the SNJ which he brought on stage with him.

Scottish comedian Alan Francis was first on the bill, a self-confessed bitter middle-aged man, whose routine was packed full of gags and observational humour.

Geordie Luke Benson followed, who at 6ft 7in is officially a giant.

The instantly lovable and clever comic delivered an imaginative act which was witty and charismatic, drawing the audience into every tale.

But the loudest applause went to headliner Simon Evans, a familiar voice on BBC Radio 4 who has appeared on numerous television shows including Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, The Apprentice: You’re Fired! and Mock the Week.

He was incredibly funny and confidently commanded the attention of the room in an effortless manner as he took the audience inside his family life.

Next March, Sophie and her team are planning a weekend of comedy with different comedians each evening.

For more information email minchpta@hotmail.co.uk