IS THIS the way to... Macclesfield? Comedy legend Peter Kay is stepping away from the TV and bright lights to perform at an intimate charity gig at a small pub in Macclesfield.

And that's no joke!

The Phoenix Nights star, who packed out the 19,000-seat Manchester Evening News Arena in 2004, will perform in May in front of a capacity of just 90... at the Ox-Fford on Oxford Road.

And since there is no stage, he will just "mingle" among the first-come-first-served audience to raise cash for the East Cheshire Hospice.

Comic king Kay, 33, will be one of a series of big names to appear at the Jennings brewery backstreet pub, according to landlord Darren Bennifer.

And it's no laughing matter - Kay follows in the robust footsteps of funnyman Bernard Manning, who drew in a crowd at the pub last Thursday.

Dad Darren, 35, former manager of famous comedy club Jongleurs in Watford, took over the licence for the pub with partner Jade Coates, 26, in December last year.

He said: "I want to put this pub on the map. There are so many people who don't know about it and it's a real shame.

"We're getting the exact date for Peter Kay next month, but he will be playing some time in May. We're also getting Jack Dee, Roy Chubby Brown and others too.

"The pub capacity is about 85 people but we could probably get 90 in if we move a few things about. Peter Kay will mingle with the people in the pub while he's performing."

When asked how the pub manages to book such stars, Darren wryly said: "I know people who rent really big names. Our booking promoter is a mate of mine who knows a lot of people in the business.

"I can't tell you how he manages to book the acts, because it's through various favours and connections. If I did then every landlord in Macclesfield will be trying to book big names."

Comedian Bernard Manning, who was the first big name to perform at the Ox-Fford, last week, said: "It's a lovely little pub, and very well attended. There were about 90 people there and it was a great atmosphere."

Meanwhile, in London at Kay's management company Phil McIntyre Entertainment, the forthcoming gig was under wraps.

A woman said: "We are not making any comment."