HE'S been cracking jokes for four decades and his tail is worth a whopping £1m - but can you Boom Boom with Basil?

The legendary master of the one-liners, Basil Brush, is visiting Southampton during half-term week for some side-splitting fun.

The Basil Brush Boom Boom Bonanza tour is expected to bring the WestQuay shopping centre to a standstill when the furry gentleman fox performs the first three singles from his forthcoming album live and unplugged.

As part of his first nationwide tour, the Daily Echo has teamed up with the funniest fox on the box to give Hampshire children the opportunity to meet Basil when he performs in the city on Friday, October 31.

What's more, if Basil thinks you're the funniest joker in the land then you could be performing on The Basil Brush Show.

Basil said: "I can't wait to go out and start meeting some of my fans, plus it means I get away from Mr Stephen for a week.

"And I've got a challenge for all you wannabe comedians out there. If you think you're funny enough, I want to hear your most booming joke. You could win a part on The Basil Brush Show and be a foxtastic celebrity like me!"

Basil became a worldwide celebrity after he was born in 1963.

His television rights were sold to 14 other countries, and in the UK The Basil Brush Show regularly scored audiences of more than 12 million.

After 1982 he took early retirement but since 1998 he has made a massive comeback.

At the WestQuay shopping centre Basil will be giving two performances at 11am and 3pm.

Basil Brush knows that he isn't the only hilariously entertaining individual out there so if you are aged under 16 and you think you can Boom Boom with Basil then send us your best one-liner for a chance to meet the fox himself.

If Basil thinks it's funny enough then you will be invited to go on stage and perform the joke live.

The funniest fan from across the country will then go on to tell their joke on television on The Basil Brush Show.

Send your joke, with your name and a contact telephone number on the back, to Kieran Fox, Southern Daily Echo, Newspaper House, Test Lane, Redbridge, South-ampton, SO16 9JX. Entries should be received by Wednes-day, October 29.