THE 12th Glasgow ­International Comedy Festival is set to be a display of girl power - with stars such as Miranda Hart and Sarah ­Millican coming to the city.

This year's event, from March 14 until April 5, will be the biggest yet, with 105,000 tickets available for 416 shows at 46 venues in the city.

Supported by Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, EventScotland and Homecoming Scotland, the 2014 programme has a distinctly female flavour.

The SSE Hydro hosts two nights from one of comedy's biggest names, Miranda Hart, while ­television colleague ­Sarah Millican plays the Clyde Auditorium.

Other women at the festival include the ­legendary Dorothy Paul, cabaret trio Fascinating Aida, Australian superstar Pam Ann and the feisty Ruby Wax.

Fred MacAulay leads a packed programme at the King's Theatre, which also includes Omid Djalili, Jerry ­Sadowitz and Stewart Francis.

Tommy Sheppard, ­director of festival ­organisers the Scottish Comedy Agency, said: "This is a big year for Glasgow, and for Scotland, and I'm delighted to say that we've got a programme which steps up to the mark."

As well as enjoying ­talent from around the world, crowds can also choose from a huge ­selection of Scottish comics.

Homegrown shows ­include Des Clarke, ­Raymond Mearns, Susan Calman, Craig Hill, ­Hardeep Singh Kohli, Gary Little, Phil Differ, Susie McCabe, Bruce Morton, and Billy Kirkwood.

Councillor Gordon Matheson, leader of Glasgow City Council and the chairman of Glasgow City Marketing ­Bureau, said: "We're well used to staging ­major events with huge ­international ­appeal and we're looking forward to a festival that will be the biggest on record."

Tickets for all shows are available via the ­respective venue's own box offices or direct ­online from www.­ticketsoup.com

stef.lach@ heraldandtimes.co.uk