SEVEN fun-draisers proved themselves game for a laugh at a special night in aid of a Prestwich charity.

More than 350 people attended The Comedy Store in Manchester to watch the rookie comics each perform a stand-up routine lasting five minutes, helping to raise £9,000 for Prestwich-based charity The Fed.

The smiling seven took to the spotlight for the Laughter Factor event after spending 10 weeks learning all the tricks of the trade from experienced funnyman Ashley Boroda.

Cracking the gags were Daniel Berke, Matthew Corker, David Mintz, David Mort, Edward Moss, David Ross and Ian Stern.

Comedians Danny Sutcliffe, Rachel Fairburn and Mike Newall acted as judges and chose Matthew Corker, aged 46, from Warrington, as their winner.

Afterwards, mechanical engineer Matthew told how he got involved in the contest to help him give presentations at work.

He said: "I'd get really apprehensive when I had a presentation coming up and needed the slides to act as prompts, but I've come out of this a different person.

"I feel totally confident about getting up and speaking in public note-free."

Matthew described the dry mouth and rapid heartbeat which kicked in as he waited to go on stage, but said his nerves "melted away the moment I opened my mouth with 'Hello Wembley!' and I just enjoyed myself."

He identified his nearest rival as criminal lawyer Daniel Berke, a view endorsed by the judges.

Laughter Factor is in its third year and previous winners Marilyn Berg and Ian Johnson also performed on Sunday, while comedy writer and performer John Warburton voluntarily compered the evening.

The cash was raised through ticket sales and through contestants' sponsorship.

Rochelle Broman, fundraising manager for The Fed, which runs Heathlands Village care home, said: "Practically every section of the community was represented in the audience.

"I can't thank the comedians enough for taking part.

"People had a really fantastic time, and it was a great success in terms of raising money to support our services."