IT IS billed as the single biggest concentration of laughter in the world – and every year it makes and breaks a wave of comedic talent.

But now for the first time a taste of the renowned Edinburgh Fringe will be coming to Sutton's sleepy suburbs, with a three-day mini-festival showcasing some of the best Edinburgh previews kicking off tonight.

And in what will no doubt be an emotional return, it will bring Sutton's very own star, Andrew O'Neill, back to play on his home turf.

The shows are the brainchild of another home-grown comic, Neil Cole, who broke the borough's stiff upper lip when he launched the Sutton Comedy club earlier this year.

The club has hosted a string of one-off monthly comedy nights, which have attracted acts normally seen on Live At The Apollo and Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow to the borough's Secombe Theatre.

Now, with the country's biggest trend-setting comedy fest on the horizon, the Carshalton comic was inspired to go one step beyond this weekend.

"Every single comedian or act that anyone's ever heard of will have started at the Edinburgh Fringe," said Mr Cole, 38.

"I love it more than anything, but so many people never get the chance to go.

"So I thought 'why not bring the mountain to Mohammed?' – why can't we have our own festival in Sutton?"

The biggest of six star previews to appear will be tomorrow (Saturday) night's headliner Andi Osho, known nationally for appearances on Mock The Week, Stand Up For The Week and Never Mind The Buzzcocks

However, in an ironic twist that would make the best comic stifle a giggle, Mr Cole is going to miss his own party after being offered a gig commentating on the Touring Car Championship in Donnington for Eurosport this weekend.

To make up for the gap, he has called on alumni from Wallington County Grammar School to come out in force to heckle their old classmate, Andrew O'Neill, now best known for slots on Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle.

Mr Cole added: "This is the most creative, the funniest and the most interesting comedy on the circuit.

"Edinburgh has a very risk-taking ethos, a touch of the surreal which is very exciting to watch. We're bringing the taste of it to Sutton – everything except the deep-fried Mars bars.

"It's tapas of the very best of what you can see at the Fringe – and hopefully everyone who comes will be able to say 'I saw that award-winning show in Sutton a month ago'."