A new competition has been launched to find the best in new sketch comedy.

The Big Night Out Sketch Comedy Awards will be handed out during the London Comedy Festival in May.

Now organisers are inviting comics and film-makers to send in their entries on VHS or mini DV.

Sketches, which should be between one and three minutes, will be whittled down to a final 15, to be screened at the final on May 23.

A panel of judges, including comic Adam Bloom, Granada TV producer Sean Miller and Evening Standard TV editor Terry Ramsey will then decide the winner, who will receive £250.

Trophies will also be given out for best script, best comic performance and best director, as well as a People's Choice award chosen by visitors to www.zoo42.com.

Entries close on May 2, see the site for full details,

Meanwhile, the BBC New Comedy Award for sketch writing closes on April 11. The winning script or video wins £1,000. Full details on the BBC Talent site.