INTERNATIONAL comedy star Ed Byrne has confirmed he will perform at Llangollen Pavilion’s first comedy festival.

Irish born Ed, a regular on the BBC’s Mock the Week and Have I Got News For You, will perform in the 100 seater RAFA club on Thursday, June 10.

An observational stand-up comedian, Ed is now more used to major national and international comedy venues,

The festival features other top comics performing in various venues around Llangollen from Thursday 10th June to Sunday 13th June.

These include rising star John Bishop, BBC radio and television regular Sarah Millican, and former Father Ted star Brendan Dempsey.

American Tanya Lee Davis and former Eric Morecambe Comedian of the Year Chris Cairns have also joined the line up.

Festival co-organiser, comedian Silky, who runs the monthly Kill for a Seat nights at Llangollen Pavilion, said: “We are delighted that a comic of such international standing as Ed Byrne will join us for the opening night of our comedy festival in Llangollen.

“All the performers are excellent entertainers and fabulously funny men and women.

“People like John Bishop, who went down a storm on the BBC’s Michael McIntrye’s Comedy Roadshow, is now making a huge name for himself on the stand-up circuit and is joining us for two shows during the festival.

“Sarah Millican has her own comedy programme, Sarah Millican’s Support Group, on BBC Radio 4 and she’ll be performing on the Friday night.

“Irish comic Brendan Dempsey, who was the talk of the town recently after headlining at one of our Kill for a Seat shows, is taking to the mic a couple of times for us during the festival.”

“Extra tickets are being released for previously sold out shows so if you want to see the stars you need to book quickly.”

On Saturday night Welsh comics take over the Pavilion with a line up headlined by Lloyd Langford and compèred by Elis James with Jon Williams and Dan Mitchell as wingmen.

Fellow Welsh comic Noel James and Canadian stand-up, Tony Law also join the festival billing along with Craig Campbell and Alun Cochrane.

And the festival promises something for everyone with two children’s comedy shows on the Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Both shows promise to entertain children from the age of six upwards.

Event co-organiser Michael Hughes said: “Bringing a comedy festival on this scale, attracting this level of talent, to Llangollen is a marvellous achievement.

“With the festival committed to the town for the next five years we can look forward to some seriously funny performers offering quality entertainment for both the local community and visitors to Llangollen.”

Llangollen’s International Comedy Festival is part of a programme of events attracting national performers to Llangollen Pavilion following its £1.6 million refurbishment.

The programme is supported by a £24,600 grant from Cadwyn Clwyd.

Funding for the event has come from the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013 financed by the Welsh Assembly Government and European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

Tickets for the festival are available at www.llancomedy.com but you need to be quick - they really are selling like hot cakes.