COMIC Sarah Iles was once told: "What you lack in humour, you make up for by being moderately pretty."

But it will take more than that to bother the 29-year-old.

For the HR officer – who has also been likened to Vanessa Feltz – is good at poking fun at herself.

Sarah explained: "The worst I've had is 'a fat Miley Cyrus'.

"I use it in my set and it gets a massive laugh – silver lining and all that!"

Sarah knows that when her jokes hit the right note with a crowd, there is no better feeling in the world.

She said: "I'm not going to lie – I love the attention.

"After a show you feel really special.

"People are telling you, 'Oh my God, you're so funny'.

"Sometimes you can't sleep at night and your head gets big."

Sarah, who grew up in Addiscombe, had been told she was funny by her work colleagues. Encouraged by her fiance, she decided to give stand-up comedy a go at the age of 27.

She enrolled on a course in Camden, which ended with her performing a stand-up routine in front of about 200 people.

"I can't explain that feeling, it's the most nervous I've ever felt in my life.

"The first time I didn't know whether I was going to die on stage or not.

"You make the first joke and when people start laughing your hands stop shaking."

From there, Sarah started doing a circuit of venues which included a "basement that smelt of urine, with ten people in".

And there have been times where things haven't quite gone to plan.

She explained: "When you die on stage the depression comes with it.

"They're not just attacking you, but what you've written.

"I've got the train home from central London before and tried not to cry.

"But it's about picking yourself up, learning and carrying on."

Growing up in a predominantly male family, Sarah says that she soon learnt to toughen up.

Her material covers the silly situations she finds herself in and topics such as her family and her looks.

She now runs a monthly comedy night – on the second Wednesday of every month – at The Scream Lounge, in South End, which features acts from the UK circuit.

Sarah hosts the night herself and, looking forward to 2012, she is keen to become a full-time stand-up.

"Oh yes, this is the dream. This year I want to make it," she added.

For further information about Sarah Iles, visit www.sarahiles.com, e-mail info@sarahiles.com or follow her on Twitter @Sarahiles82