Just how funny are the people of Southampton? Is the comedy culture aliveand kicking in the city? With funnymen such as Benny Hill and Mike Osman hailing from these parts,The Daily Echo takes a look at humour and goes behind the scenes at Jongleurs comedy club...

Scousers are known for it, and so are Geordies. Even Scots have been known to raise a chuckle or two.

But is a sparkling sense of humour and quick wit an outstanding feature of the people of Southampton?

Well, with comedians such as Mike Osman hailing from Southampton and Benny Hill coming from the nearby town of Eastleigh, we have our fair share of comic talent.

Jon Fish, brand manager at Jongleurs comedy club, agrees. He said: "The Jongleurs club in Southampton is probably one of our most successful and is very popular.

"It is also one of our more established clubs, having been around for over three years, and it is always full to capacity.

"So from all of this you could say that people in Southampton have a very good sense of humour and enjoy their comedy. They certainly aren't lacking a funny bone."

Jongleurs is currently holding a contest called Stand and Deliver, which is one of the UK's biggest ever hunts for new comic talent.

Numerous heats have taken place at branches of Jongleurs around the country and the finalists go forward to the regional heats.

On Wednesday, the southern regional final will be held at the Southampton branch of the club, and one lucky winner from the eight finalists will go forward to the national final in Edinburgh.

Disappointingly, when Jongleurs Southampton held its Stand and Deliver auditions in the city only a handful of hopeful comedians turned up.

Jon said: "I think it may have been because people in Southampton are a little reserved and like to keep their humour to themselves.

"Despite this, the competition is very exciting and it could be the start of another big name in the comedy world.

"Comedians such as Paul Merton, Graham Norton, Frank Skinner and Ben Elton all started off doing the circuit at Jongleurs," added Jon.

Well-known local funny man Mike Osman said: "When I performed at the Mayflower recently I had 1,700 in the audience and they were brilliant.

"That is a pretty good indication that Southampton people have a wicked sense of humour.

"One of the problems is that getting into comedy can be tough so I think it may put people off.

"But if you are dedicated, it is possible to make it - look at me, I did."