Swindon comic Charlie George hopes finishing third in a national competition will act as a boost to her comedy career.

Toothill-raised Charlie took part in the Funny Women Awards as a wildcard after performing in a series of heats.

And the 31-year-old was stunned to be crown third at a ceremony in London.

Charlie said: “It was amazing. I was shocked.

“It’s really nice, obviously people are seeing something in me.

“I actually ran over time in mine and I think they did want to disqualify me. Five minutes is not a long time to introduce yourself to the world and try and be funny.

“I can’t remember getting a call or email, I just remember seeing on social media that I was in the final. It was great and unexpected.”

The final was held at the Bloomsbury Theatre in London, where the comics had to perform in front of a crowd before a winner was named. The top prize was being mentored by Jo Brand.

“It was a really cool night.” Charlie added.

“It was beautiful and the audience was great. I’ve never been in a competition where you’ve come off and everybody has smashed it.

“I was really happy with the result, totally shocked.

"I literally had my rucksack on and was ready to head to the pub but then they called my name backstage and I had to run on.”

Charlie, who now lives in Haringey, north London, has been doing comedy for almost two years, after working for the NHS.

She told the Adver she was open to a homecoming gig in Swindon.

“I would love to do a charity gig here where any entrance fee goes towards something really cool," she said.

“Now I have a totally different relationship with the town. Sometimes when I’m stressed out in London, it freaks me out that I’m like ‘I’m so excited to be going back’. It’s so normal and relaxed.

“I don’t have to worry about crying on the tube.

“I can walk places, there’s loads of nice parks and open spaces.

“My niece's school is full of kids from different backgrounds and it’s evolved since when I grew up. I can appreciate the things that maybe I didn’t notice as a kid.

“If you grew up in Swindon and go anywhere else it gets a bad rep but I like to come back.”