COMEDIAN Justin Moorhouse plans to brush up on his knowledge of Radcliffe before he heads this way on tour.

The travelling salesman turned comedian, will be in Bury later this month with his Local Knowledge tour.

But he said he will have to pay another visit to the town before he writes the material for his appearance at the Bury Met Theatre.

He said: "When I worked in sales, I'd be travelling all over the north west and picking up bits of information about the places I visited. Then, when I started on the radio, and someone would ring up and tell me where they were from, I would be able to give them a fact about their hometown.

"But then I had someone from Radcliffe and all I could remember was that there's a McDonald's next to Asda."

The stand-up show will include new material and bits from tours that Justin has done in the past -- and will also revisit some of the towns he has played before.

Justin, who was born in Hyde but now lives in Stockport, said: "I kept the tour to the north west because I don't think that anyone in the south would have a clue who I am. And anyway I'm too tight to pay for a Travelodge!

"I played Bury when I was supporting Dave Spikey on tour and I chose to come back here because I enjoyed it. I'm really looking forward to the tour."

Fans can expect a fun show, with audience interaction and even a mind reading experiment.

Along with stand-up and appearing in one of the most successful British comedy series, Justin is a presenter on Key 103 and also writes for television and radio.

But he was 29 before made the jump from sales to stand-up and his hard work on the comedy circuit soon paid off and he was named City Life Comedian of the Year in 2000.

He said: "I always had a desire to do something creative. But I can't paint, I can't sing and I can't dance, so I thought I'd have a go at making people laugh. And it's a fantastic feeling when you do. I don't think I could be any happier."

Phoenix Nights has been a great vehicle for Justin, making him a instantly recognisable face. He was recently involved in the filming of the spin-off series Road to Nowhere, due to be screened next month, and will also present a new show Twisted TV on satellite channel Challenge TV.

He said: "When we filmed Phoenix Nights, it was like just having a laugh with all your mates, but it's since become massive which is great.

"I get asked for my autograph every so often and people are usually very complimentary. They usually do a double take and then ask where my tiger face is."

Justin Moorhouse will be at the Bury Met Theatre on Saturday, October 23. For more information, telephone 761 2216.

ON TOUR: Justin Moorhouse