The best of the Edinburgh Fringe comedy acts can be seen in here in Oxford, writes LUCY CROSSLEY

Every year, thousands of comedy fans flock to Scotland to experience the world's largest arts festival the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Originally envisaged to be a small event running alongside the Edinburgh International Festival, it now dwarfs its predecessor and has even spawned other fringe festivals around the world.

As well as hosting numerous high-profile plays, such as 2004's pre-West End run of One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest, starring Christian Slater, the Fringe attracts some of the best comedians in the world, many of whom have made their name performing to crowds in Edinburgh.

This summer, Oxford residents can experience the world-famous festival without having to face the crowded venues, costly accommodation and overpriced food and drink. In fact, you don't even have to leave the city.

The Edinburgh or Bust season, presented by popular Oxford comedy night The Free Beer Show, is bringing top festival comedians to the city as they hone their routines in time for the journey north. The Cellar's Monday night spot is allowing audiences sneak previews' of shows that won't officially premiere until they are unveiled in Scotland later the summer.

Although it is the brainchild of some enterprising comedy lovers from Oxford, The Free Beer Show debuted in Edinburgh five years ago and has since become a great Fringe success story.

The concept was simple, ensure punters are getting value for money by giving out free beer with every ticket and watch them turn up in droves. Since then, organisers have dished out thousands of cans and the audience has evolved from people who like their beer with a side order of comedy, to aficionados, eager to see big names from the comedy circuit.

After its season in Oxford comes to an end in July, The Free Beer Show will return to Scotland to celebrate its fifth year at the Fringe with a 16-night run at The Underbelly, one of Edinburgh's best known venues.

Jongleurs it is not. The Free Beer Show prides itself on its reputation for providing alternative comedy and for enabling comics and crowds alike to cut loose and enjoy themselves.

As many of the shows are deemed to be works in progress', this is the time for audiences to witness the nuts and bolts of how award-winning shows come together, and all for only £6 with a drink thrown in.

It is clear that the visiting comedians are playing the venue because they want to, rather than being in it for the money. In fact, at one show, comedienne Lucy Porter gave away her fee to the crowd in the form of pub quiz prizes, taking home only £20 to cover her travel expenses.

Don't be put off by the venue. The Cellar is seen as catering to a student crowd, and some may remember the bar's previous incarnation as infamous biker haunt, The Dolly. But the show attracts an audience from all walks of life. However, it is usually students who come in for the most bashing by the acts on stage. So beware if you study physics and are sitting in the front row.

The show's crowds are friendly and don't give the comics much in the way of heckling, but the unpolished nature of the performances encourages interaction and banter passed between the stage and the audience.

There is an intimate atmosphere, which is helped by the fact that The Cellar, despite being one of the country's best alternative music venues, only holds around 100 people.

One of the next visitors to the venue is a big name on the comedy circuit, former Australian comic of the year, Steve Hughes, who will preview his Edinburgh show, Storm.

Jimmy Nail-lookalike Hughes was once threatened with a glassing' from Liam Gallagher, but the Oxford audience should be more welcoming of his brand of politically charged humour.

Other upcoming acts include Rhod Gilbert, a Perrier Best Newcomer Award nominee, perhaps best known as the voice of the Welsh tourism television adverts, but also as the winner of the 2003 BBC Best Comedy Award.

That's not forgetting resident compere, excellent newcomer James Laurence, who will no doubt be headlining his own gigs before long and is especially popular with the ladies in the crowd.

All-star comedians on your doorstep, with free booze and change from a tenner . . . Shows like this don't come around everyday, so catch the Free Beer Show here in Oxford before it returns to the Fringe for another summer of top notch comedy.

The Free Beer Show presents Edinburgh or Bust Mondays @ The Cellar, doors 8pm, show 9.30pm, bar till late, £6 (£5 members). The Cellar, Frewin Court (off Cornmarket St), Oxford. Tel. 01865 244761.