The nominees have been announced for this year’s Chortle Awards, with We Are Klang leading the field.

The sketch group have been shortlisted for best sketch group and best full-length show – while troupe member Greg Davies is also in the running in the breakthrough category.

Take-no-prisoners American comic Doug Stanhope, pin-up surrealists The Mighty Boosh and Mark Thomas’s expose of the arms trade complete the nominees for best full-length show.

Maxwell’s Full Mooners, the late-night Comedy Store show fronted by Andrew Maxwell, is also up for two gongs: for innovation and for the off-stage contribution of its organisers. Tim FitzHigham, a regular on the nights, is also up for the innovation award thanks to his Edinburgh show.

And Free Fringe, the movement that allowed performers to bring shows to the Edinburgh festival at little cost, while offering punters free shows, has also been nominated for both innovation and off-stage contribution.

For the first time this year, the winners will be decided by a poll of Chortle readers. The shortlists were drawn up by a panel of critics, promoters, agents and a TV executive – but the final results will be chosen by you. Use the link at the bottom of this story to vote; polls close on February 28.

Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in London’s Soho Revue Bar on March 13 and online that same night.

The full list of nominees is:

Best newcomer

Arnab Chanda
Carl Donnelly
Ginger and Black
Pappy’s Fun Club

Breakthrough act

Greg Davies
Josie Long
Paul Sinha
Shappi Khorsandi

Best compere

Jarred Christmas
Mark Watson
Robin Ince
Stephen K Amos

Best headliner

Jason Byrne
Michael McIntrye
Phil Nichol
Reginald D Hunter

Best sketch, variety or character act

Count Arthur Strong
Jeremy Lion
Joanna Neary
We Are Klang

Best full-length show

Doug Stanhope
Mark Thomas: As Used On The Famous Nelson Mandela
Mighty Boosh tour
We Are Klang: Klang Bang

Award for innovation

Free Fringe
James Campbell’s Comedy 4 Kids
Maxwell’s Full Mooners
Tim FitzHigham

Best off-stage contribution

BAC (Battersea Arts Centre)
Brett Vincent and Alex Rochford for Maxwell’s Full Mooners
Free Fringe
Toby Hadoke (XS Malarkey, Manchester)

Click here to vote

Chortle readers also decide the best comedy clubs in each region of the UK, although there is no shortlist for these. Have your say by listing for your favourite venue or venues below.