A new venue is due to foster a wealth of new talent and let people watch up-and-coming performers for free.

The Much Laughter Hub in Rochester has opened in the former Two Post Alley art shop.

The High Street location will be the base of Much Laughter CIC, which was started by Sharon Jackson from Hoo almost three years ago.

Sharon has staged regular comedy nights at Chatham's Fort Luton, with the funds raised going to good causes and helping to raise awareness of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

Sharon, a Pride in Medway 2020 nominee, said: "I don't want it to be a comedy venue as such, I want it to be a creative place.

"I probably won't put on polished performances either, they are all previews and work-in-progress shows."

Sharon began raising awareness of FASD after she adopted five children with the condition, four of whom have also been nominated for a Pride in Medway award this year.

The Hub will host training sessions for foster carers and health workers to inform them about the condition, and has also began hosting comedy workshops for people with autism.

Sharon added: "People have just been popping in and saying, 'Rochester High Street really needs something like this.'

"It's so different and I just think it's a nice well-being thing.

"Everyone should try and write stand-up comedy; they don't have to perform it, it can be a bad thing like I can talk about my bullying at school but when you are writing it, you can find the funnies in it and you then own the story, so it empowers you.

"I think lots of people have a comedy routine within them."

She continued: "I think that lots of people have got a comedy routine within them they just need to be given the tools to bring it out."

The next round of shows will be on Sunday, February 16, which will be three work-in-progress shows featuring three stand-up comedians.

Entry is free with a bucket collection at the end. Seats can be reserved for £5.

Comedy nights at Fort Luton in Magpie Hall Road will continue with the next show on Friday, February 21 which will feature comedian Steve Best.

For more information visit their website.

Read more: All the latest news from Medway