THE great Charlie Chaplin, who knew a thing or two about the subject, once remarked:

"A day without laughter is a day wasted." If that is indeed the case, the people of Glasgow - and visitors to the city - can look forward to 23 days that will be very well spent.

The Glasgow International Comedy Festival, which will run from March 14 to April 5, is in its 12th year, and seems to be going from strength to strength despite the loss in 2012 of headline sponsor Magners. Now backed by Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, EventScotland and Homecoming Scotland, the 2014 festival promises a more varied programme than ever.

There will be a strong female presence - including television stars Miranda Hart, Sarah Millican and Ruby Wax - and a host of home-grown talent, with Fred MacAulay, Susan Calman, Craig Hill and Dorothy Paul to the fore.

Few events in 2014 will ignore the independence referendum, and this will be no exception, with a Sunday Herald-sponsored debate on the big question to be hosted by Iain Macwhirter. As Miranda Hart might well say: such fun.