THE organisers of this year's Prom on The Close – one of the finest open-air concerts in the South West – have launched a search for four local choirs to take part.

This summer's Prom, supported by the Post and our sister paper the Western Daily Press, will feature two of the UK's best young classical music talents, soprano Natasha Marsh and tenor Nicky Spence.

The event, which was officially launched yesterday, will also form part of Bristol University's centenary celebrations, and organisers want to feature two youth and two adult choirs to make it even more of a community event.

A competition, inspired by the TV show Last Choir Standing, will help decide which choirs will take to the stage.

Local groups are being asked to send in a tape, CD or DVD of them performing, and some will be selected to take part in an open-air sing-off.

The sing-off will take place outside the House of Fraser store in Cabot Circus one evening in April, after which four of the choirs will be invited to perform at the Prom.

The choirs will be asked to sing acapella and, because of space, the number of singers in each choir has to be limited to 16.

Vanessa Carrierr, the Prom project manager, said: "We hope the sing-off in the city centre will not only raise awareness of this year's Prom on The Close, but also give local choirs the opportunity to showcase their talents."

Natasha Marsh is one of the UK's most exciting opera singers and is a highly respected soprano. Her debut album Amour reached the top of the classic charts within its first week of release.

Nicky Spence is a highly accomplished tenor, who is taking the classical music world by storm. He won the coveted Katherine Ferrier Singers Prize at the age of 18 and has toured with the likes of Lesley Garrett, Katherine Jenkins and Bryn Terfel.

The Emerald Ensemble, Bristol's professional chamber orchestra, will also be performing many popular classics at the Prom.

Prom on The Close takes place on Saturday, July 4, in the grounds of Clifton College. Gates open at 4.30pm; the concert starts at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost from £16 for those aged 18 and under to £30 for a VIP seated ticket. Discounts are available for Bristol University alumni, staff and students.

Visit the website www.promontheclose.com or call 0870 7740577 for further details.

Choirs interested in taking part in this year's Prom, are invited to send tapes, CDs or DVDs to Vanessa Carrier, Prom Project Manager, Clifton College Services Ltd, The Garden Room, 3 Worcester Road, Bristol BS8 3JL. The closing date for entries is Monday, March 23. For details, call Ms Carrierr on 0117 315 7669.