COMEDY is the theme of a two-week celebration of folk in Northwich.

Folk Fortnight, organised by Northwich Folk Club, includes three events to make audiences chuckle this month.

The first is a guest night with self confessed oddball Stanley Accrington on September 18.

Brenda Yates, club secretary, said: "Stanley is a wit who has a blend of childish and intellectual humour and is always very topical."

The club warns audiences to expect the unexpected from Stanley, who has written hundreds of songs, poems, pastiches and parodies in a range of styles and on a range of subjects.

The second star turn of the fortnight is poet Les Barker, who will appear on September 25.

"He has a cult following, an extremely large one, and this is a fairly rare opportunity to see him," Brenda said.

Pete Thomson, the club's bookings secretary, said: "Audiences recite with him because they know his poems so you get a most unusual atmosphere."

Both these acts will perform at the Harlequin Theatre, in Queen Street, at 8.30pm, doors open at 8pm.

The third event of Folk Fortnight is Heritage Night at Weaver Hall Museum, in London Road, again with the focus on comedy.

Pete said: "We're asking members of the club to prepare something along the lines of a comic song and come and perform.

"Non-members are welcome to come and read something comic or sing something comic."

Brenda said: "The heritage night celebrates the talent that's in the club and reminds the members that they're part of a massive movement in music."

Heritage Night takes place from 7.30pm to 10pm and anyone that would like to perform should email info@northwichfolk.co.uk.

The club, which is approaching its 40th anniversary, offers a warm welcome to performers and listeners of all ages, and the chance to perform in front of an appreciative audience.

Brenda said: "People see open mic nights as that place for public performance but we have done that for 38 years, it's nothing new for us.

"We tend to do acoustic but you get an audience that listens to you and you're not fighting against background noise.

"We'll listen to you and appreciate the work you've put into it.

"We always welcome people to join us, whether for an evening or to become a member and you can comfortably come on your own and be made welcome."

With a mix of singers nights and guest nights Pete and Brenda were also keen to emphasis that each week at the folk club offered something different.

Admission to the Stanley Accrington event is £6 or £5 for members.

Admission to the Les Barker performance is £10 or £8 for members.

Heritage night is £3.

Admission for under 21s is free on singers nights and half price on guest nights.

For more information ring 01606 74258, email info@northwichfolk.co.uk or visit northwichfolk.co.uk.