PHOENIX night stars Patrick McGuiness, Archie Kelly and Steve Edge are hosting the Manchester Comedy Awards.

The North West's comical talent will be recognised for the first time as part of the comedy festival in October.

The black tie event on October 28 at Bar XS in Fallowfield will be made up of nine categories including Best Stand-up, Best Newcomer and Best TV and Film Comedy Performance.

There will also be a public vote for Best Comedy Performance in a Soap.

The honours will incorporate the Manchester Comedy Festival's Les Dawson award for Services to Comedy.

which was launched last year.