Look closely at the two pieces of artwork for the Grin Up North comedy festival now on. Can you spot the changes?

A pint of Tetley's and a packet of Woodbines to all those who saw the version on banners hanging from the lamp posts of city centre streets has had the fags removed.

Festival marketing director Scott Barton says:

"The original drawing by artist Pete McKee was done over three years ago with all the characters smoking – well before the smoking ban. Thanks to the wonders of Photoshop we got rid of the cigarettes. But Pete didn't notice until we pointed it out!"

Pete, who was originally commissioned by festival producer Toby Foster to make the poster for his last Laugh Comedy club at the Lescar Hotel, admits he hadn't spotted it.

As a non-smoker himself he's happy enough with the smoking ban but it's given him problems as an artist.

"The Lescar was notorious for its smoky atmosphere but I have to be aware of contemporary issues. I can't draw an ashtray on a table in a pub any more.

"If I drew a pub scene there was a pint, a Tetley's beermat and a metal ashtray. The ban hinders my reference points."

If you look closely you might notice the man with the mike looks very much like Toby himself.

Pete says: "It's him. But he did ask me to do him thinner so I cosmetically adjusted it."

Grin Up North, which runs until October 19, has already sold out some shows. And it's doing wonders for pubs, bars and restaurants.

Scott says: "On Sunday night the festival brought 3,700 people into the city centre, the quietest night of the week. We had 2,700 people at the City Hall for Jimmy Carr and Jeff Green with another 1,000 at the Lyceum for Frankie Boyle."

And he isn't worried about the smoking ban, either.
He says: "We've seen an increase in audiences."

Visit: www.sheffieldcomedyfestival.com