A POPULAR comedy venue in Birmingham begins a new series of late night shows this weekend ahead of unveiling a £1 million expansion and refurbishment next month.

Saturday will see the glee club run the first of the shows in its new studio theatre as well as the opening of its new lounge bar.

The entrance of the club, which has hosted the famously miserable funnyman Jack Dee on several occasions, is also moving from Hurst Street to the Arcadian Centre.

The refurbishment work will be complete in February when the enlarged main room is set to reopen.

The first of the late night shows in the intimate 160-seat studio will start at 10.30pm.

Mark Tughan, owner of the glee club, said: "We're going for the sort of atmosphere you would find at a Comedy Store late show - serious close-quarters wit and razor-sharp humour in a real late night environment."

The club is open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Doors open at 8pm with shows from 9pm.

Bookings can be made on 0870 241 5093, more information is available at www.glee.co.uk.