PREPARATIONS are well and truly underway for an exclusive UK comedy festival in Southampton.

The tents and stages are being built, stalls being made and microphones being checked as Comedy Central Live! comes to Hoglands Park tomorrow.

A host of stars are expected to turn out at the festival, which is being run in co-ordination with Go! Southampton.

Katherine Ryan, Russell Howard, Jimmy Carr, Rob Beckett, Rob Delany and Reginald D Hunter are just some of the biggest names in comedy performing at the three-day event.

As well as this punters can enjoy live versions of some of their favourite shows, including Roast Battle and Drunk History.

There will also be an “experiential area” with attractions including South Park and Joel and Nish V The World while comedians will belt out classic musical hits in a live stage show, and drag group Denim will host an “alternative all day” party at the site.

Yesterday, the Daily Echo revealed the festival had to slash its ticket prices by as much as £70 a day.

The event's ticketing structure originally included a £90 one-day, all-access ticket.

Cheaper £22 tickets, which limited access to up-and-coming comedians, were also available.

But festival bosses say they have now “streamlined” the ticket system.

They’ve also cut prices to £20 a day for an all-access ticket and £40 for a VIP ticket – previously £140.

A spokesperson for Comedy Central Live said: “We are very excited to launch Comedy Central Live in Southampton this Friday.

"With an unbeatable line up of comedians from across the whole country, as well as live versions of Comedy Central shows including Your Face Or Mine & Roast Battle, Southampton is set to be the funniest place in Britain this weekend."