FIVE nights of riotous comedy carnage is set to come to the Carnegie Hall when Gilded Balloon Comedy returns to Dunfermline.

The Gilded Balloon, one of the four largest venues at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, will bring a quality blend of up-and-coming comedians and some of the finest established comics on the UK circuit until June, kicking off next Thursday (February 4) with headliner Gary Little.

The 6'2" Glaswegian, blessed with a gossipy, sharp-tongue and countless hilarious tales to tell, will be joined on stage by the delightfully deadpan Stephen Carlin, and the one-woman voice machine, Amy Howerska.

A skilled storyteller, Little is one of the most consistently funny acts in Scottish comedy, and has the ability to weave mundane, every-day experiences into non-stop hilarity. Forcefully opinionated but with unflinching honesty and openness, he is not afraid to be up front with his failings, while his masculine, sweary persona is undercut by his obvious warmth, personable style and slight vulnerability.

Joining Little on stage is Stephen Carlin, who is rated by Stewart Lee in his all-time top 10 stand up list and described as one of the most inventive comedians on the circuit.

His exceptional use of language and off the wall references, brilliantly opinionated broadsides and trademark Scottish brogue make for memorable routines, while his in-depth and hilarious knowledge of international snooker take audiences into the mind of a passionate obsessive.

Completing the set is rising star Amy Howerska, who has carved out a reputation as an unsentimental and gifted storyteller since becoming a stand-up in 2009. Presenting with vim, vigour and volume, she populates the stage with barmy Welsh cousins, Bradford grannies and East End gangster-loving aunties.

Two-time Scottish Comedian of the Year finalist, Ray Bradshaw, will be compere for the evening and the Glasgow based star has gained a reputation as one of the funniest and most exciting acts on the Scottish comedy scene.

Four more shows, on Thursday March 3, Saturday April 2, Saturday June 4 and Thursday June 30, will take place as part of the Gilded Balloon series, with Rob Deering, Al Porter, Loretta Maine and The Boy with Tape on His Face headlining on each date respectively.

Tickets for Thursday's show cost £12 (£11 for concessions) and can be bought at the Carnegie Hall box office, by calling 01383 602302 or by visiting www.onfife.com. Doors open at 7.30pm, with the show running from 8-10pm.