More than 500 votes have been polled for the Chortle live comedy awards.

The results are now being counted for the People's Choice, Comics' Comic and venue awards. The award winners will be released on this site as follows

Sunday February 24: The top 10 comedy heroes list

Midday Tuesday February 26: Winners of the venue categories are announced

3pm Tuesday February 26: Winners of the People's Choice, the Comics' Comic and the categories voted for by Chortle's panel of judges are released.

The nominees for these awards are:

Best touing/theatre comedian
Bill Bailey
Ross Noble
Rich Hall as Otis Lee Crenshaw
Al Murray

Best female circuit stand-up
Gina Yashere
Jo Enright
Jo Caulfield
Julia Morris

Best male circuit stand-up
Daniel Kitson
Boothby Graffoe
Lee Mack
Phil Nichol

Best open mic comedian
Rohan Agalawatta
Des Clarke
Steve Williams
Miles Jupp

Best compere
Simon Bligh
Boothby Graffoe
Lee Hurst
Lee Mack

Best sketch or character act
Graham Fellows for John Shuttleworth and Brian Appleton
Garth Marenghi
Mackenzie Crook as Mr Bagshaw
League of Gentlemen

Best contribution by a non-performer
Tommy Shepherd, director of The Stand comedy clubs, Scotland
Malcolm Hay, comedy editor of Time Out, London
Don Ward, founder of the Comedy Store, London and Manchester
Agraman, of The Buzz Club, Manchester

The judges are:

* Steve Bennett - Editor, Chortle
* Marissa Burgess - Comedy reviewer, City Life magazine, Manchester
* William Cook - Comedy correspondent The Guardian and author of The Comedy Store
* Jason Hall - Comedy reviewer, Edinburgh Evening News
* Hils Jago - Promoter, Amused Moose Soho
* Ella Kenyon - Comedy reviewer BBC London
* Christian Knowles - Producer, So You Think You're Funny and promoter of The Monday Club, London
* Mike O'Brien - Director of Laughing Stock comedy record and video label
* Silky - Promoter of the Kill For A Seat clubs nationwide