The BBC has announced that the regional heats of its New Comedy Awards will kick off on Monday October 4.

More than 600 would-be comics entered the competition, which has a top prize of £2,000, and the best will now perform in nine local heats.

Semi-finals will be held in Newcastle, London and Manchester and broadcast on digital station BBC7.

The final will be held at the Manchester Comedy Store in December and broadcast on BBC7, with Radio 4 making a programme around it.

This is less exposure than in previous years, when the semi-finals have been screened on TV, with the final on BBC1.

This year’s winner will also get the chance to develop their writing with BBC Radio Entertainment.

Past winners and finalists include Peter Kay, Simon Pegg, Lee Mack and Julian Barratt. Click here for a full list.

Details of the heats - which are all free to watch - are:

Monday October 4: Sheffield Last Laugh Comedy Club, 0114 267 9787, MC Toby Foster.

Tuesday October 5: Newcastle Hyena Café, 0191 232 6030, MC Alfie Joey.

Wednesday October 6: GlasgowThe Vault, 0141 649 0007, MC Frankie Boyle.

Sunday October 10: Richmond Laughing Horse, 07796 171 190, MC Alun Cochrane.

Tuesday October 12: Camden Amused Moose, 020 8341 1341, MC Alun Cochrane.

Wednesday October 13: Belfast  Empire Bar, MC Martin Bigpig.

Monday October 18: Liverpool Laughterhouse, 0151 231, MC Alfie Joey.

Tuesday October 19: Birmingham Cheeky Monkey, MC Geoff Whitting.

Wednesday October 20: Cardiff Glee Club, 0870 241 5093, MC Alun Cochrane.