SCOTLAND'S funniest teenager is urging youngsters to tackle the trials of growing up by getting on a stage and telling jokes.

Joe Gardner, 17, is hosting the city's first teenage comedy night today where he will give young people the chance to try stand-up.

Joe, from Clarkston, Renfrewshire, launched the event after scooping the top prize at Edinburgh Fringe last year in the first ever Class Clowns competition.

It is being held at alcohol free venue Cafe Gro, in Glasgow's Saltmarket. Joe teamed up with Donna Campbell from the cafe for the launch.

Joe, who is in first year of Glasgow University studying theatre, film and television, is convinced he can nurture talent and find the next Kevin Bridges.

The former Williamwood High pupil said: "It's a collaboration project between the venue and myself to give a non competitive opportunity for young people to do a showcase with three stand ups and one impressionist, aged from 13 to 17.

"It's about getting more young people into comedy, all we care about is kids trying it. We don't care about where they come from and what they're experience is, we just want to give them the venue and the space and a little bit of coaching as well."

Joe, who is a fan of retro comedy shows including Only Fools and Horses and Fawlty Towers, said growing up in the noughties was difficult - but that comedy could help.

He said: "Of course being a teenager is a hard time anyway and getting up there to try and make people laugh and exposing yourself is very difficult.

"But it's also a way of dealing with issues. It's about getting up there and dealing with issues in a light hearted way."

The Fringe Gilded Balloon contest was held for secondary school age young people and inspired by the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

On Saturday Joe will be joined on-stage by other Class Clowns finalists Judith Scott, 15, Adam Weir, 13, and Ryan McGuigan, also 13. Ryan is best known for his impression of Alex Salmond which went viral last year.

Joe said: "There's so much talent out there and I just want to inspire people to try comedy.

"Who knows, the next Kevin Bridges might be me, or it might be one of the others.

"There's definitely some very special people out there."

If successful Joe will try to make it a regular event and expand to other towns and cities.

He said: "We want to get the ball rolling for young people everywhere."

"I really want to develop and nurture it and follow the Australian format - there's a lot of young people doing comedy in Australia."

The event starts at 7pm and doors are at 6.30pm. A workshop and pre-performance Skype sessions will take place before the acts take to stage.

Joe asks any young people interested in comedy to contact him via his Facebook page www.facebook.com/joegardnercomedy/

rachel.loxton@eveningtimes.co.uk