AN OKEHAMPTON comedienne is causing a wave of raucousness across the country with her sketch group 'The Kitten Killers', having just reached the grand finals of a national comedy awards competition.

Perdita Stott, who grew up in the town and whose family are still residents, formed the sketch group with two other like-minded women — Fran Bushe and Kat Cade — when they met at classes in Soho Theatre, London just over a year ago.

Since then they have gone on to enjoy successes all over the London circuit, a sell-out Camden Fringe and a debut at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

The trio describe themselves as 'flagrant abusers of all things cute and fluffy' that 'skilfully blend sketch and musical comedy, skirting the line of decency'.

After making it through to the grand final of the Golden Jester Comedy Awards, they are now preparing to wow crowds in an attempt to take the winning title next week.

The Kitten Killers beat more than 650 other comedians to reach the final, which started in February this year and reaches its climax on October 14 in London.

The final, sponsored by Fosters, will see 13 acts performing for five minutes each in front of a large audience and a panel of comedy industry judges. The winning act will receive a £1,000 cash prize, with four runners up each receiving £250.

Perdita said: 'We are delighted to be in the grand final of the Golden Jester Award.

'We've only been going for a year, so are thrilled to have got this far alongside so many talented comedians. We are so excited we are going to dance around in an enormous circle pouring Fosters over our heads!

'I moved from Okehampton nearly three years ago but my family home is still there. I've lived my whole life in Okehampton, worked in town and went to Exeter College. I think Dartmoor is one of the most beautiful places in the world; it is still very much my home and I feel very proud to be able to say I am from the South West.'

Alan Sellers, from the Golden Jester Awards, said: 'Congratulations to the Kitten Killers for reaching the final.

'We have had a record number of comedians enter the competition this year and the standard has been very high, with so many different styles of comedy.

'We started the Golden Jester Awards in 2010 to give acts the chance to perform in a transparent comedy competition. Good luck to the Kitten Killers and to the other finalists.'

For more information about the Kitten Killers visit the website at http://www.kittenkillerscomedy.com">www.kittenkillerscomedy.com