A COMEDY fan is today celebrating two years of success and has vowed to Fight Back for Suffolk.

A COMEDY fan is today celebrating two years of success and has vowed to Fight Back for Suffolk.

Darren Cook, of Neptune Quay, set up the Jokers Comedy Club in April 2007.

Today he is as determined to bring comedy to Ipswich as ever and the club regularly attracts capacity crowds flying in the face of recession.

The 34-year-old said: “Everybody loves to laugh and especially in these difficult times. Comedy is a good way of escaping.”

The Jokers Club is held on the last Sunday of every month at the Manor Ballroom, St Margaret's Green, Ipswich, with comedians performing from across the UK.

The IT consultant said: “I commute to London everyday and a friend and I decided to start a comedy night and it's been going ever since.

“We looked on the internet and found an agent. We found that comics were prepared to come to Ipswich from places like London on a Sunday as it is a quiet night on the comedy circuit.”

Darren now runs the club on his own booking acts, updating the club's website and providing a newsletter. He said the club has attracted some top names from the comedy circuit including Jason Wood, Jeff Innocent and Rod Gilbert.

He added: “I don't do it to make money I do it for fun so I think that is why it has lasted. It pays for my beer and is a good Sunday night out.

“We also have a best of the best night once a year.”

The next Jokers Comedy Club night is on may 3, comics include Colin Cole, Rob Heeney, Christian Steel and MC Dave Thompson. Tickets are from �8 to �12 (premium seats). Buy tickets on the door or through the website www.jokerscomedyclub.co.uk

Are you comedy fan? Is the Jokers Comedy Club what the town needs? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street , Ipswich , IP4 1AN or send an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk