A NINE-YEAR-OLD junior joker is having sweet dreams of success in a national competition.

Matthew Wharmby has reached the final stages of a search for a child comedian contest which could win him a £5,000 dream party.

Mum Catherine, of Lambton Street, Worsley, reckons she is always guaranteed a giggle when the St Marks C of E school pupil is around.

She said: "Matthew's a real entertainer in more ways than one. He's a complete comedian. Whenever we're out for a drive in the car he's always telling jokes.

"I don't know where he gets in from. It's definitely not me. It could be his grandma, Dorothy Benson. She's 62 but she's just like a kid!"

The winners of the Chuckle with Chewits competition will revel in a party of their choice, prompting bizarre suggestions from some entrants including Pokemon parties and even swimming with sharks.

But the sweet-toothed St Marks C of E pupil has more conventional ideas -- for a loud disco complete with lashings of sweets and chocolates.

He hopes the joke he entered -- Q: What did Cinderella say when the chemist lost her photos? A: Some day my prints will come -- will tickle the judges so much that he shall go to the party.

Matthew, a fan of John Cleese's madcap antics in Fawlty Towers, said: "I tell a lot of jokes. I just make them up or get them off my friends. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I win."

When the limelight-loving Matthew is not telling jokes, he plays the drums or sings karaoke accompanied by his own disco lights.

But while the all-round entertainer's ambitions are sky high, they do not involve the stage or screen.

"I want to be a pilot," he confessed.

Entries are still open for the competition which closes on September 4. Children wishing to enter can obtain an entry form from any Woolworth's or by calling 0117 9256755.

They can also take part on the internet at www.chewits.co.uk or www.foxkids.co.uk, or they can write to: Chuckle with Chewits, c/o Harrison Cowley, 7th Floor, Broad Quay House, Bristol, BS1 4DJ.

Ten finalists will be shortlisted by the end of September and the winner chosen by a panel of judges on October 31. Q: What do you do if you see a space man?

A: Park in it

Q: Why is the beach wet?

A: Because the seaweed

Q: What's green and does good deeds?

A: A boy sprout

Q: Why did the skeleton cross the road?

A: To get to the Body Shop