PATRONS of Huntingdon Hall shouldn't be surprised tonight if they are stopped at the door and asked to pop a topic into a bucket.

For this evening's legendary entertainment is no other than king of the one liner, Barry Cryer, who is out to prove he can tell a joke or anecdote about any subject on Earth.

Joined by I'm Sorry I haven't A Clue's Colin Sell, the gag merchant should have audiences in stitches while his sidekick tickles the ivories and provides the scenery in the Worcester leg of The First Farewell Tour.

Although he may not instantly spring to mind as a top comedy force, anyone who owns a TV will have seen Cryer's material, whether they realise it or not.

Just scan the end credits of work by Bob Hope, George Burns, The Two Ronnies, Morecambe and Wise, Tommy Cooper, Les Dawson, Kenny Everett, Bruce Forsythe, David Frost, Mike Yarwood, Rory Bremner and Jasper Carrott and you'll know the score.

It all started when Cryer was reading English at Leeds University and appeared in the University revue, after which he developed a taste for performing and was offered a week's work at the famous City Variety Theatre, home of long-running television entertainment show, The Good Old Days.

After being spotted by a London agent, he joined the infamous Windmill Theatre in London, whose graduates include Sir Harry Secombe and Peter Sellers, before collaborating on series such as Hello Cheeky, taking part in night club shows with Danny La Rue and touring Britain with Willie Rushton with their Two Old Farts In the Night.

He now appears regularly on radio panel show I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue, and along with Colin Sell, is committed to hunting out people in need of a good laugh - hence The First Farewell Tour.

"This show is a must for all those of you who are tired of hearing the same old joke," a spokesman for Huntingdon Hall said.

"So come along, sit back and giggle with the non-stop merriment and song."

The show starts at 8pm with tickets costing £14.50, or £13.50 concessions, available from the Box Office on 01905 611427.