A FORMER politics student, who left university to pursue a career in comedy, has been shortlisted in a national talent hunt.

Dan Nightingale, 21, dropped out of Newcastle University to try his hand as a stand-up comedian.

After only a month of entertaining audiences at the Hyena Caf, in Newcastle, the former student has made it to the finals of the Cutting Edge of Comedy Talent Hunt.

The tour is a nationwide search for the UK's freshest, most original and funniest unknown comedians.

Dan, of Newcastle, said: "I've only been in comedy a few weeks, and this is a huge thrill. I've watched the experts for many years and would love the chance to join them at the Edinburgh Festival.

"This has given me a real opportunity and, hopefully, the break I'm looking for."

Dan will now go through to the regional final at the Comic Club, Glasgow, on June 6.

He will compete against seven others for the chance to win a place of a seven-day stand-up slot at the Pleasance Dome at the Edinburgh Festival, the launch pad of comedians such as Al Murray and Eddie Izzard.