More than 50 new comics have been chosen to progress to the next round in the J20 Last Laugh comedy search.

The 400 entrants have been whittled down over a series of bar-room heats, and now the winners will each go on to regional finals in Jongleurs venues, before a high-profile final.

Heats were open to anyone, attracting people from all works of life, including Pizza Express oven jockey, insurance salesman, auctioneer ­ and one who claimed to be a stuntman. Ages of the regioanl finalists, the last of whom was chosen last night, range from 19 to 68.

The ultimate winner will receive £1,000 plus the chance to play in New York.

Jasper Carrott attended one of the Birmingham heats and said: "I think the standard of talent is very high. Whoever wins this competition is going to have to be very, very good."

And he described the heat as "a wonderful abattoir - if you're going to die on stage this is the place to do it".

Click here for the full list of regional finalists.