Love to laugh?

The city celebrates eleven years of gags this month as the Glasgow International Comedy Festival returns — with a line-up that doesn’t disappoint.

The party runs March 14-31, with bill toppers include Jimmy Carr, Harry Hill, Chris Addison, Paul Merton, Jerry Sadowitz, Daniel Sloss, Phil Jupitus and Dorothy Paul – to name just a few.

For those of you planning your itinerary in advance, we’ve picked out a few highlights to cater to most comedic tastes.

Kicking off the first festival weekend on Friday, March 15, is the southside’s own Greater Shawlands Republic.

Bruce Morton and Andrew Learmonth have invited some very funny people south of the Clyde to The Bungo for a pick of the festival show – with just a little campaigning for an independent Shawlands thrown in.

Panel show fans will be delighted to see Have I Got New For You regular Paul Merton, also on March 15. His King’s Theatre show is called Impro Chums – so get ready to make suggestions.

For those who prefer their comedy with a hint of sarcasm (and the odd song), David O’Doherty is over at the Garage, bringing with him a tiny keyboard, six C batteries and a book of sex tips picked up from a dentist’s waiting room – make of that what you will.

On Monday (March 18) it’s time for a lesson as The Stand hosts Zombie Science: a spoof tutorial on the possibility of a zombie epidemic, and how to survive it.

Over at the Britannia Panopticon, it’s the turn of another southsider, as Robin Cairns presents Would You Let Your Daughter Marry a Ned? (running throughout the festival), resurrecting Kelvinside Malcolm once again – and there’s trouble afoot in the genteel westender’s home.

And from the genteel to the outrageous, as former Glasgow southsider and cult favourite Jerry Sadowitz returns to the King’s on March 23.

He’s rude, he’s offensive and he hates your guts almost as much as he hates himself — but he’s very funny at doing it.

Rounding off our pick of the bunch is The Thick of It star Chris Addison, heading south to the Citizens Theatre for another airing of the twice-extended show The Time is Now, Again.

No matter where your comedic loyalties lie, there’s plenty to choose from: it’s just a question of who’s likely to tickle your funny bone at this year’s festival..

n For full-line up and ticket info, visit www.glasgowcomedyfestival.com.