THE first acts for York's new 10-day comedy festival have been announced with a television regular adding a touch of German humour to the event.

Next summer the city is playing host to the Great Yorkshire Fringe, scheduled to take place two weeks before the famous Edinburgh Fringe, in the hope of offering a warm-up event for acts.

The first of what organisers promise to be a host of "big-name" comedy signings was announced today as tickets went on sale and the event's official website was launched.

Henning Wehn, who will be performing his show Eins, Zwei, DIY, is the self-proclaimed German Comedy Ambassador to the UK, and is known from regular television appearances on 8 Out of 10 Cats and QI.

He will be performing in the White Rose Rotunda - one of four purpose-built venues which will be popping up in York fromJuly 24 to August 2 next year.

Parliament Street will become a performance space, supported by bar and food areas, with The White Rose Rotunda, The Barm Pot, The Turn Pot and The Tea Pot seating audiences from 60 to 400 people.

The programme also features Just Like That! The Tommy Cooper Show, which will be running in The Tea Pot direct from a West End run in the Museum of Comedy.

For families, Stick Man is live on stage after three sold-out West End seasons. The live action adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s children’s book is aimed at children aged three plus.

Heading the cabaret field, The Supreme Fabulettes - The World Tour, finds the all-singing male girl group perform a mash-ups of classic 1960s hits and contemporary songs.

The Great Yorkshire Fringe has been organised by Martin Witts, who founded the Museum Of Comedy in London earlier this year.

Having worked as a carpenter and stage hand at York Theatre Royal between 1983 and 1985, Mr Witts said he was delighted to be bringing the event to his home city of York, where he still lives.

He said: “We’re pleased to announce these fantastic acts so far, and more will continue to be added as we get closer to the event ."

The festival is also set to feature the Great Yorkshire Fringe New Comedian of the Year 2015 competition, with the chance to win the Golden Pudding Award, £500 and the opportunity to perform at London’s Leicester Square Theatre. Entries will be opening in December.