THERE will be plenty of seasonal cheer to warm the cockles of the heart during the winter nights as a host of comedians visit Worcester for a fun-packed show.

The Comedy Zone takes place at The Marr's Bar in Pierpoint Street on Thursday, December 1 and will feature a trio of comedians from as far afield as Australia.

Welsh comic Rhod Gilbert, nominated for the Perrier Best Newcomer Award at the Edinburgh Festival this year, headlines the event.

This year saw him achieve the Chortle Award for Best Breakthrough Act, following his success in virtually every new-act competition in the country, including the prestigious BBC New Comedy Awards in 2004.

He has also just completed a UK tour supporting Lee Mack, presenter of They Think It's All Over, and performed widely from Sydney and Melbourne to Montreal at the world's leading comedy festivals.

Australian Damian Clark joins Rhod on stage and he, too, has received much critical acclaim for his recent Edinburgh Festival show which recounted his remarkable experience of being held up by a shotgun-wielding bandit at a hotel in Perth.

Also appearing is up-and-coming stand-up Ian Sainsbury, a former professional musician who uses his talents to great effect as he parodies every musical style imaginable in his act.

Adam Montgomery, resident compere and local comedian, will be warming up the audience as usual at what has become one of Worcester's most popular nights out.

Doors open at 8pm and tickets cost £9 from Music City and The Marr's Bar.

The long-running Comedy Zone returns for its ninth year in Worcester in early February, 2006.