FARMER David Gibson is hoping to hit the comedy big time after winning a place in the final of a nationwide TV talent contest.

Mr Gibson, who performs as Northern nightclub entertainer Bobby Dresser, beat 22 other contestants from the Tyne Tees Television region in the Stand Up Britain competition.

He'll be competing in Friday's final against six other hopefuls from around the country, for the title, a trophy and £5,000.

Viewers in each of the six TV regions involved were able to vote for their favourite regional act. Bobby Dresser won the highest percentage vote in the Tyne Tees area.

Mr Gibson, whose farm is in Lanchester, County Durham, made the headlines last year when he won through to the heats of a Channel 4 comedy competition at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

He was disappointed when a broken keyboard meant he couldn't perform his usual act and he saw the award go to someone else.

"I'm not bothered about the prizes in Stand Up Britain. I was disappointed with the way the Channel 4 contest went, so if I can just give a good account of myself on Friday, I'll be happy," he said. "I must be half decent to have got through to the final."

Mr Gibson will perform a three-and-a-half minute routine in the final, which will be screened live on ITV from the Granada studios, in Manchester.

The regional runners-up were, in second place, actor and comedy scriptwriter John Raine, from Newcastle, better known as Geordie act Howka Charvas, and, in third place, 64-year-old former jockey Sandy Gilroy, from Richmond.

* Stand Up Britain - the Final is shown on ITV, at 11.20pm on Friday.