Wannabe comics are being given the chance to be trained by some of Scotland's top comedians and prove their mettle in a live comedy performance at the Kingdom Newcomers event on October 4.

And the comedy boot camp is looking for recruits for the four workshop sessions as part of this year's emphasis on getting people involved in comedy.

Tommy Sheppard, director of the Scottish Comedy Agency Director and The Stand Comedy Club, will help tutor the budding comics, alongside stalwarts of Scottish comedy Susan Morrison and Paul Sneddon, who performs as both the on-stage characters Bob Doolally and Vladimir McTavish.

Tommy said: "We can't teach people to be funny – but if they are funny we can teach them to be effective. We can't teach wit but if they have got it in them we will get it out of them.

"I can learn techniques to enhance the funniness. Some people have ideas but need help to sharpen them up. Getting to the laugh quicker is a major thing in comedy.

"There's no substitute to actually doing it. What we will do is give people some good background information. We will go through the technical side - how to stand, how to hold a microphone so the audience hear you, how to project and get through to the audience. We will also do a bit on how to get bookings.

"I would encourage people to give it a go. We want people who are serious about learning comedy."

Kirkcaldy Town Centre Manager Sunil Varu said: "It's very much about encouraging people who have an interest in doing stand up, but aren't sure how to go about it.

''After the workshops they will have the opportunity on the final night to perform in front of an audience. There could be another Sean Hughes, Kevin Bridges or Billy Connolly out there."

Also new for this year's festival is the Kids Comedy Club on September 26 and October 3. Promising to be a great afternoon's entertainment for all the family, it hopes to open up Kirkcaldy Comedy Festival to a new audience.