HAVE you got the laughter factor?

Leaders of a charity which ran a smash-hit comedy night are bringing it back for a second year — and are looking for new faces to take to the stage.

Last summer, 14 volunteers with no experience of stand-up proved they were game for a laugh by undergoing 12 weeks of training to learn the tricks of the trade from Whitefield funnyman Ashley Boroda.

The sell-out show, at the Comedy Store in Manchester, raised more than £16,000 for Heathlands Village care home in Prestwich.

A second Laughter Factor event will be staged on March 30 and the first of 12 weekly comedy workshops will take place in Prestwich on Sunday.

So far, 10 budding jokers have signed up and the two final places are up for grabs.

One of the “fun” recruiters is Joyce Khan, marketing manager of The Fed charity, which runs Heathlands. Mrs Khan has agreed to take part herself. She said: “I am so excited. People always tell me I talk so much, so it seems like a perfect opportunity!”

“I used to be scared of going on the motorway and scared of flying and then I realised life is too short, so I moved on and this is another opportunity to overcome a fear.”

Last year’s winner Ian Johnson, a dementia nurse at Heathlands Village, will be a judge at this year’s event.

Mr Boroda said: “The Laughter Factor will suit a person who is outgoing and wants to try something new and push themselves a little.”

There is a £200 fee to take part and with a requirement to raise sponsorship money. To find out more: call Amanda Zatman on 0161 772 4967 or email amanda.z@thefed.org.uk