High Peak's MP Tom Levitt will be putting politics to one side when he steps up to the microphone three times during the Buxton Festival Fringe to indulge his passion for comedy.

"It's a pity that so much good comedy is lost when great comics die or move on," he said. "There are some great one person shows around now, but we must never forget performers like Peter Cook, Al Read and Tommy Cooper. They were sheer geniuses who were masters of their genre." 'No End of an Ass' is the performer's tribute to a rainbow of stand-ups who have mostly gone before.

The show is Tom's own compilation of one-man sketches and songs from 10,000 years of stand-up comedy. Admittedly, not much of it pre-dates the second half of the 20th century, but he gets the chance to perform some original material too. This will include thoughts on why there are no birds amongst the signs of the the zodiac, novel uses for ladies' tights and the soon to be legendary Psittacosis Help Line sketch.

'No End of an Ass' is in the Barrel Room, Underground Venues at the Old Hall Hotel, at 7pm on 10, 17 and 25 July. Tickets are £8 (£6 concessions) from Underground Venues.