THE organisers of the Somerset Comedy Festival – which was to be held at venues across the county – have had to cancel more shows, following poor ticket sales.

They have urged the public to step forward and support the shows that are still on.

It was announced last week that the bulk of the shows – including those featuring big comedy names like Sean Walsh and Simon Brodkin – would have to be called off as the festival hit a cash crisis.

But at the time, main organiser Trish Caller said she hoped some of the smaller shows could be saved.

However today she announced that twelve more have fallen.

“It’s just down to slow ticket sales, I’m afraid. I do understand these are difficult times for everyone, but now I have really difficult decisions to make, and it’s been so hard for me.

“In one case we had Susie McCabe driving down from Glasgow to appear at two venues over two evenings.

“When the first one was cancelled it wasn’t viable for her to make the journey. “This happened to another wonderful act for the same reason.

“If we are to continue with the shows that are left, we would urge people to support them so that all our hard work isn’t for nothing.

“It will also give confidence that we must try again next year.

The website www.somersetcomedyfestival.co.uk gives full details of the shows still going ahead.

It is hoped that some comedy performances in Taunton – at the CICCIC centre, The Minster, the Castle Hotel, and the Tacchi Morris Theatre – as well as a performance by doctor-turned-comedian Dr Phil Hammond at the Bridgwater Arts Centre might still go ahead.

When the festival was first launched, shows at 40 venues across Somerset throughout July were announced.

Trish said: “We have learned important lessons from this year and I am determined to try again next year.

The comedy festival has been a dream of mine for so long.

“I know we can make a success of this – I know the people of Somerset love comedy. “There were many things that conspired against us this year. Next year will be different.”