Comics complete 36-hour stand-up

Comic Michael McEwan devised and co-hosted the 36-hour event

More than 100 comedians have taken part in a 36-hour stand-up set in Edinburgh in a world record bid for charity.

One Big Laugh began at 2359 BST on Wednesday at the Three Tuns comedy venue and ended at 1200 BST on Friday.

Hosted by comics Michael McEwan and Mac Star, stand-up stars Des Clarke, Hazel Humphrys and Reverend O'Badiah Steppenwolf III also took part.

In aid of Depression Alliance Scotland, it aimed to set the record for the longest continuous live comedy show.

'Mammoth effort'

"It has been a mammoth effort for everyone involved but last night was exceptional," said Mr McEwan.

"The place has been completely packed. We expected to perform to an empty venue at times but - while most of the audience came for a couple of hours - a hardcore of six people stuck with us for the whole thing."

Mr McEwan added that, while he felt "speechless", fellow organiser Mac Star had literally begun to lose his voice after 36 hours as compere.

"He can only manage to say a couple of words at a time now," Mr McEwan said.

Mac Star and Michael McEwan become involved after suffering depression

"I am staggered at how well the whole project has been received."

Earlier Mr Star said: "I got involved with One Big Laugh because I am suffering from depression myself.

"It is an illness that consumes your life, makes you feel inadequate and gives you a sense of 'what can I possibly offer the world?'"

Mr McEwan added: "With luck, One Big Laugh will help to promote the illness a little better and challenge people to question the stigma that is so cruelly, albeit unintentionally, associated with it."

A spokeswoman for Guinness World Records said it could take up to three months to verify whether a record had been broken.

Last year comedian Mark Watson completed a 24-hour solo routine as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.