A NEW masterclass has been launched in East Lancashire - to teach people how to be funny!

Professional prankster Jack Milner held a workshop where the next generation of comics went to hone their comic skills and learn new techniques.

London-based Jack, who said he hoped the afternoon session would launch new talent, gave advice on getting bookings and more importantly getting paid.

The workshop was staged at Burnley Mechanics and Jack, part of the alternative scene in the early 1980s before going on to concentrate on writing and directing, said the north -- and Lancashire in particularly -- had the perfect atmosphere for burgeoning talent.

He said: "There is definitely a good sense of humour up here and it's more confident than other places. I did a workshop at Darwen Library Theatre some years back and I thought the same then."

Among the first through the through the doors was Bob Bennett from Burnley, a DJ once in a musical double act, and Donald Banks, who has already played to packed houses around Lancashire.

"I've been doing stand-up for more than 20 years," said Donald, of St Aidan's Avenue, Darwen. "I've done 15 shows with Jim Bowen and performed 12-minute spots here and at Preston Guild Hall to 1,500 people. I'm here to learn how to do it more professionally. All the gigs I've done have been for nothing - I want to get paid."

The workshop entailed various role-plays, a "rant and rave" exercise and forming gags, which seemed to be a very laboured process involving lots of "mind-mapping."

Jack said: "There is some science to it but I don't want people to come away from the workshop thinking that's the only way to do comedy. They are just some techniques that people can use. There are no hard and fast rules, it's just about being funny."

At the end of the session a handful of volunteers were called on to put what they had been taught into practice. It's a cracker!

OUR FAVOURITE LANCASHIRE GAGS

Lancashire youngsters have discovered a new drug craze -- E by gum!

A mill worker goes into a jewellers in Burnley to buy an engagement ring for his girlfriend. The jeweller says "18 carat?", to which the tackler replies "No I'm chewin' tobacco."

OXO are thinking of bringing a new Claret and Blue cube out -- it will be a laughing stock.

What's got 22 legs and can't climb a ladder? Blackburn Rovers' first team.

Heard about the Lancashire worker who got sacked firm his job at the M&M factory? He kept throwing away the 'W's

Police have issued a warning to Lancashire teenagers who are injecting themselves with curry powder to get high cheaply -- two have gone into a Korma

Lancashire terrorist have formed their own splinter group -- the I R'eet.

Two retired mill workers are out fishing in the Ribble Valley, one catches a huge fish. "That's a salmon!" he proudly announces. "It can't be," replies his mate. "That only comes in tins"

CAN YOU DO BETTER? PRIZE TICKETS ON OFFER

SEND your favourite gag in and the best one will win a pair of tickets for a top comedy show coming up at Burnley Mechanics next month.

What a Gaf! features four of the hottest stand-up comedians in Britain - Noel Fielding, Chris Addison, Richard Ayoade and Jason Freeman. For a chance to win send in your joke to LANCASHIRE LAUGHS, Editorial Department, Lancashire Evening Telegraph, at either: High Street, Blackburn; Keirby Walk, Burnley; Edgar Street, Accrington; Bridge Street, Darwen; or Martins News, Castle Street, Clitheroe. The closing date is February 14. The editor's decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Employees of this newspaper, their families and anyone connected with this competition are not eligible to enter. PICTURES: Reporter Jamie Diffley and workshop leader Jack Milner go through a slapstick routine

Jack plays for laughs