NEWCASTLE Comedy Festival has survived a sponsorship cash crisis to put on 18 nights of non-stop jokes, featuring what it claims is the world's finest comedy talent.

Despite losing last year's sponsor, Hennessy Cognac, the November 2 to November 19 £240,000 event is going ahead with star names such as Lee Hurst, Craig Charles, Jo Brand, Ardal O'Hanlon, Neil Innes, Jenny Eclair and cult act The League of Gentlemen - who have already sold out one of two nights.

"This is our eighth year and we have more venues than ever (15 in all), 200 artists, more than 70 shows and 25,000 tickets on offer," said Kevin Taylor, one of the festival's three organisers.

"The cost of running the festival is kept low because we are a non-profit-making organisation, but we believe we generate about £400,000 to £500,000 for the North-East economy during the event."

The main sponsor is North-East Internet company, the creativecake.com, which is part of Fawthorp McLanders Advertising and Design, of Jesmond, Newcastle.

By next year, the festival hopes to have a website dedicated to taking bookings.

"This year, we are hoping to put right the mistake made in the past of not promoting enough new comedy talent, particularly women. We have got backing from the BBC to run workshops for writers and stand-ups as part of a section of the festival called The Big Grin," said Mr Taylor.

There will also be exhibitions, and a festival shop next to Newcastle's new Arts Centre, in Westgate Road.

The hotline for festival programmes and ticket reservations is 0191-232 2660.

Festival information website: www.newcastlecomedyfestival.co.uk