THEY say a smile costs nothing – now you can test the theory at a recession-busting comedy club that won't cost punters a penny.

THEY say a smile costs nothing - now you can test the theory at a recession-busting comedy club that won't cost punters a penny.

Stand-up fans will be laughing all the way to bank thanks to the newly-launched Angel Comedy night at The Camden Head, in Camden Passage, Islington.

But that's more than can be said for out-of-pocket promoters Barry Herns and Linus Lee.

The generous pair are digging deep to pay for some of the UK's top stand-ups to play the 60-capacity upstairs function room - all because of their love of comedy.

Mr Herns, 34, of Warltersville Road, Crouch Hill, said: "The club is free, but has paid professional acts that you'd usually pay to see and the very best of the open mic circuit.

"It's run at a loss, because we both love comedy and just want to put on a really good night. Hell, it's almost the double recession so let's give people something free to laugh at!"

He added: "A lot of comedy nights these days are charging �15 or �20 to get in, so you get people saying 'this better be good'.

"But comedy is best when it's busy night and there's a real spirit of bonhomie and people are there to enjoy it."

Top circuit names including Simon Munnery and Patrick Monahan are lined up to play Angel Comedy in the coming months, as the club throws open it's doors free of charge every Saturday from 8pm. Mr Herns, a recycling education and events worker for Camden Council, said: "Everyone charges wildly differing prices and some people are way out of our league. To headline a 400-capacity room on a Saturday its �250. We can't afford �250 but we can afford �150 every other week!

"We think people will come back and see us again but getting them there in the first place is the hard part."

Mr Lee, 25, a graphic designer, of Havelock Street, King's Cross, added: "It's really an excuse for us to see the comedians we like and put them out there.

"It's great to be able to offer people hours of entertainment for free.

"There are benefits and drawbacks of doing it for free, but at least this way people always get their money's worth!