'Stoke-on-Trent deserves its first comedy festival'

A comedian has said that Stoke-on-Trent deserves its first ever comedy festival.

Justin Moorhouse is one of multiple comedians performing at the city's two-day festival at the Potteries Museum and Gallery, Hanley, this weekend.

"[Stoke-on-Trent] doesn't have enough regular comedy, it needs a bit more comedy so this is really putting it on the map," he said.

More than 700 people have booked tickets to attend the event, according to the festival's co-founder Rachel Jones.

Mr Moorhouse will perform a new show named The Greatest Performance Of My Life after finishing a tour that lasted 106 days.

"It's like swimming blind-folded, under water, because it's really weird doing new material but it's very essential," he said.

Dave and Rachel run comedy nights across Staffordshire

Rachel Jones and Dave Twentyman created the event after realising that Stoke-on-Trent was one of the only UK cities that did not have a comedy festival.

The pair worked with Stoke-on-Trent Council to bring the event to the city.

"We are very proud that our idea has come to life and we can't wait to entertain Stoke-on-Trent this weekend," Ms Jones said.

Acts from around the country will perform, including Shazia Mirza, Steve Royle and Scott Bennett.

Ms Jones, from Stoke-on-Trent, added she was proud of her city and planned to run the festival for years to come.