A competition to find the funniest Irish comedian is to be launched.

Alan Anderson, the Scottish promoter who is reposonsible for the English and Scottish Comedian of the Year compeitions has announced the news to coincide with St Patrick's Day.

"Andrew Stanley and I got drunk in Perth W.A. and came up with this great idea that we convinced Galway Comedy Supremo Kevin Healy to be part of."

The format will be exactly the same as the Scottish and English competitions. At the Galway Comedy Festival in October someone will win €2000, flights to Australia, accommodation and get lots of work at the Perth and Adelaide Fringe festivals in Australia.

More details to follow.