Comedian Jay Leno gave a little comic relief yesterday to residents of an area battered by layoffs and the fear of long-term unemployment.

Hundreds of people waited in lines for hours for a free comedy performance in Wilmington, Ohio, by the host of “The Tonight Show” as part of his “Comedy Stimulus” tour.

“It will give people a lift when they all need a good laugh,” said Pauline Taylor, who was at the head of one of several lines leading into the Roberts Centre before the first of two shows kicked off yesterday afternoon. “We all need to have laughs. It helps get you through the tough times. It really does.”

Leno’s first jokes were about politics and President Barack Obama.

Wilmington, a city of about 12,000 residents, has drawn national attention as a vivid example of the economic struggles of small U.S. communities during the recession. The main presidential candidates discussed its plight last year.

About 8,000 workers were employed at the Wilmington Air Park a year ago when delivery company DHL Express announced it was pulling out, and about 3,500 remain. Wilmington Mayor David Raizk (pronounced RESK) says at least half of them will lose their jobs when DHL leaves this summer.

“We’ve had enough doom and gloom. It’s time for a little laughter and a little fun,” said Raizk, who was among those waiting for the shows. “We’re so thankful to Jay Leno and his people for doing this. Let’s uplift everybody’s spirits a little bit and talk about the positive instead of the negative.”

Leno also has performed free shows in the recession-wracked Detroit area.