More that 20 comic writers – including stand-ups Gavin Webster, John Scott, Lee Fenwick and former Viz editor Alex Collier – have been accepted on to a BBC scheme to encourage new comedy talent in the North East.

Over the next two months, those on the Jesting About programme will receive funding and mentoring. It raises the prospect of Webster receiving tips from Two Pints Of Lager creator Susan Nickson, who was just beginning primary school when the was starting on the comedy circuit.

Other industry experts offering their support inlcude Bob Mortimer, Ross Noble and veteran comedy writer Ian La Frenais and Two Pints Of Lager creator Susan Nickson to help develop their ideas into pilots.

They will then showcase their work to commissioning editors in Newcastle on April 20.

More than 200 people applied to get on the scheme. Others who made it include Bafta-winning film-maker Bridget Deane, who previously worked on Channel 4’s Wife Swap), to a group of accountants from Sunderland.

Mortimer said: ‘When I launched Jesting About in December last year, I said that some of the funniest people I have ever met are from the North East and judging from the hundreds of comedy ideas, scripts and sketches that have been sent it seems that I was right’

The full list of those taking part – and the fend in which they are working are:

TV Team Writing (developing a pilot script for a BBC One sitcom): Karen Laws, Bridget Deane, Keith Brumpton , Paul Christian, Christopher Stanners

Radio (creating a half hour radio sketch show for BBC Newcastle and BBC Tees): Gavin Webster, John Scott, Holly Burn, Dave Metcalf, Andrew Kirkwood and Jamie McLeish, Rob Gilroy, Nitin Kundra, Trevor Fox and Joe Caffrey, Will and Owen Cooper

Online: Nick Lewis, James Harris and Ben Klimmeck, Alex Collier, Claire Storey Lambert, Lee Fenwick, James Boughen