FYLDE joker Phil Walker is throwing down the comedy gauntlet.

The comedian has been busy testing the water at London's infamous Comedy Store and appearing on the cult TV show Live at Jongleurs.

These two venues are the forums for Britain's alternative members of the comedy circuit and Phil took a trip to spread his creative wings, but now would like to challenge any alternative comedians to even the score with a stint on one of Blackpool's famous piers.

He told the Citizen: "People like a good laugh without being outrageous and I wanted to see the difference between the mainstream act I usually do and the alternative.

"My stuff was more observational - the sexist and racist stuff just isn't me- and I really enjoyed myself meeting some great people like Alan Davies and Jeff Green.

"But I would love to see one of these comedians do Blackpool."

Although going down a storm at the top clubs and being invited to return for second spot, Phil still feels his place is by the seaside for the summer shows he loves.

He said: "My perfect summer would be a season at Central Pier in the room where Maggie Mays used to be.

"That's a superb venue for a show and maybe we could have an open mike for holidaymakers to take part."

Until then Phil, who has just completed a UK tour with Welsh comic Max Boyce, has a packed diary with a possible trip to the Falklands to entertain British forces and a spell on the cruise ships in the sunny Caribbean.

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