Are you passionate about live comedy? Do you think you can objectively determine what's funny and what's not? If you can answer 'Yes' to both these questions why not consider applying to be a judge at the big comedy festival taking place in Leicester in February?

Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival 2012 - which will be bigger and better than ever thanks in part to new sponsorship from Dave the TV channel - is looking for comedy fans to join the festival's awards panel.

You need to be able to be in Leicester for the duration of the festival, which is quite a big ask (17 days in total; 3 - 19th February 2012), but if you can make those dates and are selected you'll get VIP treatment, the chance to see loads of shows, and will help to decide the final award winners.

In total there will be 9 to 11 people on the panel deciding who wins Best Show, Best Debut Show, Best New Venue, and Best Established Venue.

The awards, launched in 2006, are designed to recognise the artists and promoters who are involved in the annual event. Previous winners include Greg Davies (pictured), Laura Solon, Stuart Goldsmith, Matt Green and sketch group Wittank.

David Blackett, who was selected in a previous year, says: "What can I say about being a judge? I can honestly say it's one of the best experiences I have gone through. Not only did I see more comedy than I could have dreamed, it gave me the chance to explore some wonderful parts of Leicester I hadn't visited and I made some truly fabulous friends."

Geoff Rowe, the founder of the festival, elaborates: "The Awards Panel has become a critical part of the annual festival. The lucky members of the panel work really hard during the 17 day festival, often running from show to show to see as much as possible. There are long hours involved, and much debate and discussion about who should be nominated and the final winners. However, for comedy fans it's like being in heaven - seeing hours of some of the best live comedy around. We hope we'll get a good range of applications from people who want to work enormously hard to spot the great talent that will be on show next February."

If the above sounds like something you'd be interested in, you are over 18, and available to be in Leicester between the 3rd - 19th February see www.comedy-festival.co.uk or email awards@comedy-festival.co.uk for more information. The closing date for applications is Friday 25th November.

If you can't be involved in the judging, it's still worth considering visiting the festival (just 1hr 7mins from London on the train incidently), as it's looking like it's going to be a great 17 days. The best place to start would be The Preview Show the month before, which is taking place at De Montfort Hall on Friday 13th January. For tickets, call the box office on 0116 233 3111.