THE new Scottish Comedian of The Year will be named this weekend.

Culture Minister Linda Fabiani MSP will present the award to this year's winner after the grand final at the Old Fruitmarket on Sunday evening.

The Big Banana Boots trophy will go to the best of the 10 comics on the bill, part of the Merchant City Festival.

Each will perform before a panel of industry judges in an event being hosted by Scots comedian Des Clarke.

Alan Anderson of promoters Ha Ha Comedy, said: "The Scottish Comedian of The Year event is our way of celebrating one of the nation's biggest assets - its humour.

"We've been world leaders in making people laugh for years from Harry Lauder and Chic Murray to Billy Connolly and Rory Bremner and we want to formally celebrate it.

"We're delighted that Linda Fabiani has agreed to present the prize to our eventual winner and it shows that the Scottish Government acknowledges one of our greatest exports.

"Every year we welcome the best comedians from across the globe to perform at the Fringe. However it is rare that we ever give ourselves a pat on the back for being entertaining, engaging and funny hosts."