The semi-finals of the competition billed as Britain's biggest comedy talent search have been announced.

Sixty comic hopefuls will perform at the six semi-finals of the Daily Telegraph Open Mic award at student unions in Warwick, Swansea, Edinburgh, Imperial College London, Keele and Aberystwyth next month.

Each will be competing for a place in the final at this year's Edinburgh festival and a shot at the top prize of £2,000 - a booking on the university circuit and appearances at the Montreal and Melbourne comedy festivals.

Last year's winner, Karl Minns, from Suffolk, is in Melbourne now - and the 2000 winner Francesca Martinez will launch her first solo show at this year's Edinburgh festival.

Details of the semi-finals, to be hosted by Perrier Award nominee Chris Addison, are:

Sunday May 12: Zippy's, Warwick University, Coventry. 024 7657 2777
Monday May 13: Divas, Swansea University. 01792 295485
Tuesday May 14: The Pleasance, Edinburgh University 0131 650 4194
Thursday May 16: DB's, Imperial College London 020 7594 8068
Monday May 20: The Club, Keele University 01782 583711
Wednesday May 22: The Union, Aberystwyth University. 01970 621750

All the semi-finals start at 9pm, with doors at 8pm.