Simon Amstell is to host the final of the Chortle National Student Comedian Of The Year competition next month.

The Popworld presenter will compere the show on the Tattershall Castle, a floating venue on the Thames in the shadow of the London Eye, on Monday May 15.

Fighting it out for the coveted title – and a week at the Edinburgh Fringe – are the winners of six regional heats held last term, plus two ‘wildcard’ entries.

They are:

• Chris Martin, from the University of Newcastle upon-tyne
• Simon Bird, from Cambridge
• Darren Richman, from Southampton
• Dominic Elliott-Spencer from Derby
• Paul Hayfield, from Birmingham
• Andy Vaughan, from Strathclyde
• Donnchadh O’Conaill, from Durham
• Tony Richardson from Manchester

The show  will also feature a performance from the winner of the 2005 competition, Nathan Caton.

It starts at 8.30pm and tickets are priced £7 (£5 concs). To book, call 07932 658895.