Phil Nicol wins Edinburgh Fringe comedy award

EDINBURGH, Aug 27 (Reuters) Phil Nicol won Britain's top comedy award at the Edinburgh Fringe festival for his dynamic show about love, life, pacifism and a touch of nudity.

Nicol, a Scottish-born Canadian, won for ''The Naked Racist'', which the Independent newspaper called ''a daring show delivered at break-neck speed about a weekend in Amsterdam.'' A veteran of the four-week festival which culminates each year with the awards, Nicol beat four other nominees for the 8,000 pound main prize -- David O'Doherty, Russell Howard, Paul Sinha and the three-man We Are Klang.

Previous winners have included Steve Coogan and Lee Evans.

The best newcomer prize was awarded to 25-year-old Josie Long for her show ''Kindness and Exuberance''.

REUTERS DKS BST0518