Glasgow's comedy festival will this year feature leading names such as Jimmy Carr, Paul Merton, Clive James and Ardal O'Hanlon.

Scots comedian Rhona Cameron launched the seventh Magners Glasgow International Comedy Festival yesterday, which runs from March 12 to 29, where it was announced that more than 100,000 tickets will be available for the more than 370 shows at 51 venues in the festival.

The veteran comic Frank Carson will also appear, as will Rob Brydon, Ross Noble and Scottish comics Arnold Brown and Jerry Sadowitz.

As part of the year of Homecoming Scotland festival, a series of stand ups from New York, all with Scottish ties, will also perform.

Tommy Sheppard, director, said: "For many people these are difficult times. More than ever people need cheering up - and that's what we'll do."