The finalists have been announced in the Funny Women hunt for the best new female stand-ups.

The contest, sponsored by Babycham, attracted a record 150 entrants, all vying for the title and the £2,000 cash prize

The ten  finalists who will be competing in the final at London’s Comedy Store on July 4 are Wendy Wason,  Steph Baker, Jude Mahon, Julie Jepson, Ruth Bratt, Emma Fryer, Debra-Jane Appleby, Sarah Millican, Becky Love and Helen Keen.

This is the third year of the contest, previously won by character act Jade The Folk Singer and stand-up Zoe Lyons.

The final will be hosted by Jo Caulfield, pictured, and judged by  Woman’s Hour presenter Jenni Murray, Jan Ravens from BBC’s Dead Ringers, Sarah Mahoney from the Paramount Comedy Channel, Comedy Store owner Don Ward, Vanessa Haynes from Celador Productions, Chortle editor Steve Bennett  and Debbie Djordjevic, editor of www.handbag.com.