SCORES of people packed into The Creative Innovation Centre in Taunton on Friday (July 19) and enjoyed a night of laughter as local comics battled it out for the chance to win the Stand Up For Cider final.

Local comedians Nigel Lovell, Julie-Ann Amos, Kris Davies, Robert Perry, Becky Povall, Christian Russell-Pollock, Jo Frank, Ben Milden, Jessie Nixon and Burt Williamson entertained audiences and impressed the judges with their best one liners and comedy sketches.

The comedians were battling it out to be in with the chance of winning the coveted Stand Up For Cider trophy.

Lindsey Santoro also performed for visitors at the event which was sponsored by Berry's Coaches and Taunton Cider.

Robert Perry took home first prize with his act featuring a flip chart and health and safety and Christian Russell-Pollock came in second place and Jo Frank won the third place spot.

Trish Caller, organiser of the event, said the event was a sell out success.

She said: "Thanks to the support of the sponsors Berry’s Coaches and Taunton Cider the quality of this year’s competitors, MC and Headline Acts have been incredible.

"Everyone performed brilliantly. It was going to be a close call. Everyone who took to the stage was a potential winner. The result was completely in the hands of the audience.

"Everyone had a printed scoresheet with all the acts on, space for notes and a column to choose their winner and runner up.

"While we counted the votes our headline act Lindsey Santoro took to the stage. The audience were in stitches again. Just like they had been all night.

"The prizes were stage time with a TV level comedian, their name to be engraved on the trophy and their body weight in Taunton Cider.

"We would like to say a huge thank you to our MC David Arnold and the amazing venue, CICCIC.

"We have worked together for five years and the shows run like clockwork. The room is absolutely perfect for comedy."