STANDUP comedian Andrew Bird is hoping to tickle Bicester's funny bone with a new monthly comedy night.

The funnyman has been performing standup for 17 years, fuelled, he says, by 'a desperate need for attention' as the youngest of three brothers.

The 37-year-old has enjoyed considerable success, performing with the likes of Rhod Gilbert, Rob Brydon and Michael McIntyre, and writing for television, including hit Channel Four show 8 out 10 cats does Countdown.

But after moving to Bicester with his wife Katka seven years ago to raise a family, the comedian was frustrated to find the local comedy scene left a lot to be desired.

He said: "Right now if you want comedy you have to go into Oxford, but Bicester is a growing town that deserves its own night life."

The situation was also painfully familiar after growing up in Towcester, Northamptonshire.

The father of two explained: "There were two proper comedy clubs in the county and so I had to move to London to pursue standup.

"It doesn't have to be like that anymore though and there has been more of a move towards small independent comedy clubs run by comedians in recent years."

The standup is eager to tap into this trend with his own night.

Lone Wolf Comedy Club will be held on the second Thursday of each month at Atic, a new late night bar due to open next month in Pioneer Square, which will provide a community hub for classes, workshops, live music and comedy.

Mr Bird will be calling up his comedy mates to the stage and is eager to build up a regular audience in a warm and friendly community atmosphere.

He explained: "A lot of people still have the idea that comedy nights are confrontational with the audience heckling the comedian and them giving the abuse back but that isn't fun for either side.

"I want my night to be one of the gigs comedians really look forward to."

"Bicester is only 45 minutes by train to London, and has quick links to Birmingham so it is in a great spot for comedians, which is partly why I chose to move here, that and the free childcare from being closer to my parents."

Mr Bird added he will also be targeting a largely untapped audience explaining: "I'll be advertising at nurseries and play groups to parents rather than for stag and hen dos. As a parent I know they are ones who deserve a night of comedy more than anyone."

The first show will be on November 9 at 8pm with guests Lloyd Langford, Mike Gun, and Mr Bird acting as the MC.

And on December 14, beatboxer Stephano Paolini and Jarred Christmas will perform.

Tickets are £10 and are available from wegottickets.com