LIVERPOOL may be the European Capital of Culture. But it is now officially the Capital of Comedy.

At least that is the title given to a new comedy club in the city by Crosby-born comic Silky.

Silky – who does not answer to any other name – has been running comedy clubs across the country under his Kill for a Seat Comedy Club title.

But, since an early venture at the Head of Steam pub by Lime Street Station closed – "I had moved to Oxfordshire and was too far away to keep running it" – he has not had a Liverpool venue.

"I went looking for a new place as Liverpool had the Capital of Culture title and one thing Liverpool does export is humour.

"I discovered that the Slaughter House pub – which used to have a comedy club – no longer had one," says Mr Silky, now based in Oldham.

He had performed there himself in the past and really liked the venue and thought it time to revive it.

"Liverpool has some nice larger-sized weekend comedy clubs but what was missing was a small regular comedy club."

The Slaughter House comedy club used to be titled The Laughter House, but with Silky taking over he thought big and named it the Capital of Comedy Club.

He has been joined in the venture by Liverpool agent Paula Harrington of Tongue in Cheek and they will be booking acts together.

With Liverpool comic Keith Carter already on Ms Harrington’s books, he seem- ed an ideal choice for the opening gig this Friday.

He will be joined by comed- ian and juggler Steve Royle and promising newcomer Stephen Porter.

Advance publicity announced that the club com- père would be "one of the finest comperes in the business".

This turns out to be Silky himself.

"I will be doing it until they can afford someone decent," he says.

He has been running com- edy clubs since 1995. "I just thought I would do for Liverpool what I do best, running comedy clubs and being a comedian."

The club will open every Friday and future comics include Robin Ince (of The Office) and Lucy Porter.