It's that time of year again when comedians all around the country are hastily putting together their new shows for next month's Edinburgh festival.

In preparation for that, a host of the countries best will be descending on Battersea Arts Centre for their 12-day N2O Season of Comedy from Tuesday.

Battersea resident Laura Solon will be among them and here she tells GRAHAM MOODY all about her offering for this year.

Graham Moody: Tell us about your new show, The Owl of Steven?

Laura Solon: It’s a comic adventure story set on the island of Steven which has a famous owl. A television company try and make a documentary about it and encounter resistance from the islanders. I play all the characters. Except for the owl.

GM: You often perform at the N2O festival, is it an event you like?

LS: I do like it very much AND I live 10 minutes from the BAC which makes it even more enjoyable because it’s so easy to get there and then get home again.

GM: How long have you been living in Battersea and what are the highs and lows?

LS: For two years. The highs include the amazing park, the great pubs like The Fox and Hounds, The Lighthouse, The Drafthouse, the restaurants and being near the river. The lows include the valuable life minutes spent waiting for buses.

GM: Was becoming only the second woman to win the Perrier award a daunting thing to have to live up to?

LS: Not really, because I wasn’t expecting to win it. It made such a positive difference to my career that even if there is pressure I’d never want to unwin it.

GM: Is it quite a lot of pressure to come up with a new show for Edinburgh every year?

LS: Yes it is but then again you learn new things every year so in some ways the process gets slightly easier.

GM: Who's your favourite comedian and why?

LS: I really like an American comedian called Maria Bamford and I am also a big fan of Dylan Moran because they make me laugh a lot.

GM: If your flat was on fire and you only had time to save three things, what would you save?

LS: My husband, my laptop. And the stuffed owl. In that order.

GM: Who's sex face would you least like to see?

LS: I did not see that question coming. It feels out of kilter with the rest. Um....most people’s? I think sex faces are best kept between the people having the sex.

The festival opens on Tuesday with sketch group Idiots of Ants and a full listing of the artists appearing can be found at bac.org.uk.

N2O Comedy Festival, Battersea Arts Centre, Lavender Hill, July 20 to 31, various times and prices. Call 020 7223 2223 or visit bac.org.uk.