CHIPPENHAM comedy festival returns for its third year next weekend with the best line-up yet according to organiser and comedian Wil Hodgson.

Simon Munnery, Andrew O’Neill and Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer are all set to perform at the Old Road Tavern in Chippenham during the weekend.

Organiser Wil Hodgson, who performs himself at 9.30pm on Saturday evening, said: “I am very pleased with the line up, I think it’s the best we have had so far. I’ve wanted to get Simon Munnery and Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer for a long time.

“Simon Munnery is a legend of alternative comedy, one of the most respected comedians going and he fits with the ethos of the festival, a more grass roots and alternative kind of festival.

“Comedy is something most people enjoy and that’s why we have different types of comedian on – there’s bound to be something for everyone. I’m aiming for something accessible and that will appeal across the board.”

Described by the Guardian newspaper as ‘nothing less than genius’ Simon Munnery will be performing his show And Nothing But at 9.30pm on Friday (July 10) while Mr B will be penultimate act of the weekend appearing at 8.30pm on Sunday. Tickets are £10 for each show.

New to the festival this year are two family friendly shows, specifically aimed at a younger audience, which have been brought into the programme on Saturday afternoon.

The Ken Hulbert Memorial Cinema of Cartoons and Slapstick will see 90 minutes of classic cartoons to delight all ages from Laurel and Hardy to Tom and Jerry. The show starts at 12pm and all proceeds from this event will go to children’s hospital Great Ormond Street.

Following that, Andrew O’Neill will be performing his family friendly Outstanding Stories for all ages, from 2pm to 3pm with tickets costing £5.

Mr Hodgson, who runs the Chippenham Comedy Club, added: “What we are trying to do is start them young as comedy fans. Andrew O’Neill is a very good up and coming comedian and he’s going to be doing a family friendly show on Saturday afternoon.”

The third running of the comedy festival will see shows at the Old Road Tavern’s comedy hall on Friday night, Saturday and Sunday.

Weekend tickets, which will get holders into every event across the weekend, are being sold for £50 online, offering a significant saving on individual purchases.

Tickets and festival programmes are available from the bar at the Old Road Tavern while tickets are also available at www.wegottickets.com