By George '“ funnyman Manford's heading back to town

The 35-year-old funnyman will headline a star-studded line up at the St George’s Day Comedy Festival at the Theatre Marquee on The Green in April - and tickets are expected to be eagerly snapped up when they go on sale tomorrow.

Manford’s previous visit to town, at Lowther Pavilion in 2013, sold out in little more than half an hour and kick-started a dazzling run of appearances at the venue by other leading comedy stars such as John Bishop, Al Murray and Rob Beckett.

Joining him at the St George’s event on April 20 will be will be Paul Zerdin, the British-born comedian and ventrioloquest who was the winner of America’s Got Talent in 2015, and has featured in several Royal Variety Performances during his near-20 year career. He will join the Lytham line-up fresh from performing in his own show on the strip in Las Vegas to huge critical acclaim.

Jo Caulfield, best known for her regular slots on such TV shows as Mock the Week, Have I Got News for You, Never Mind the Buzzcocks and her BBC Radio 4 programme, will also feature at the event, while local comic Phil Walker compere and organisers are expecting a rapid sellout.

The comedy event is a key part of what organisers have already pledged will be the biggest and best St George’s Day Festival yet.

A choir of the year contest is among the promised new features for the ninth year of the event which will cover five days and the aim is to top £100,000 for charity after £82,000 was raised this year.

Tim Lince, chairman of the St George’s Day Festival committee, said: “We are thrilled to have Jason on board. He is a huge draw, and the event promises to be a complete sellout.

“The number one aim of St George’s Day is to raise as much money for our chosen charities as possible, and we feel certain that this will make a great contribution as well as being a brilliant night for the audience.”

When Manford took to the stage three years ago for his Lytham debut, he enjoyed it so much that as soon as the show was over he dashed to Lytham Cricket Club and did an impromptu set at Phil Walker’s comedy club Woofers.

Tickets for the St George’s Comedy Festival, at £25 each, go on sale at Lowther Pavilion from 9am tomorrow. Details at www.lowtherpavilion.co.uk and www.stgeorgesdayfestival.com