JUST announced at The Stand, Newcastle’s new comedy club on High Bridge, are Alun Cochrane and Fred MacAulay.

The former – born in Glasgow, brought up in West Yorkshire – is billed as “a no-nonsense comedian who specialises in funny nonsense”.

He made his debut on the Edinburgh Festival fringe in 2004 and co-hosts Frank Skinner’s Absolute Radio Show. You can catch him and his show, Moments of Alun, at The Stand on January 17.

MacAulay follows with his Legally Bald stand-up show on January 24.

The seasoned comedian also hails from north of the border, where he is well known to BBC Radio Scotland listeners.

On TV, he has featured on Have I Got News For You and QI. The Sunday Times called him “one of the funniest men alive”.

If you haven’t been to The Stand yet, it is quite an experience. With its bistro upstairs, bar and stage downstairs, and its choice of cabaret-style or theatre-style seating, it is well designed for stand-up.

But they do take their comedy very seriously – if that doesn’t sound too paradoxical.

Persistent hecklers are dealt with ruthlessly so as not to spoil the enjoyment of others – which doesn’t mean you won’t get picked on by the star turn if you sit in the front.

For programme details see www.thestand.co.uk