The shortlists for the 2005 Perrier Comedy Awards were announced today.

For the second year running sees Chris Addison as the hot favourite for his show Atomicity, which is based on the periodic table.

Running against him is the beer-soaked children's entertainer, Jeremy Lion, a character creation of Justin Edwards who won the Perrier Best Newcomer award in 2002 as part of the comedy group The Consultants.

There is also ex-BBC writer, Laura Solon who is making her Edinburgh solo debut with her show, Kopfrapers Syndrome, put together weeks after splitting with her comedy partner.

There is the quintet sketch group, Dutch Elm Conservatoire, who investigate conspiracy theories.

Finally the bookies are hedging their bets on Jason Manford to be Addison's main competition. Having been heralded as the new Peter Kay, Manford started his comedy career by performing an impromptu set at a comedy club when one of the acts failed to show.

With them is the Best Newcomer shortlist of Charlie Pickering, Mark Watson, Rhod Gilbert, Tim Minchin, and Toulson and Harvey.

The winners will be announced at the festival at midnight on Saturday 27th.