The Southmead Carol Bus will be back on the streets this Christmas thanks to money raised at a community talent contest.

It will be the seventh year that the open-top double decker is driven around Southmead, organised by florist Cliff Howell.

The three nights it will spend on the streets of Bristol have been partly funded by a karaoke event and talent show held at the Southmead Community Centre in Greystoke Avenue.

Seven finalists between the ages of 11 and 65 showed off their vocal talents in front of a panel of judges that included former boxing world champion Glenn Catley, ex-Bristol Rovers captain Vaughan Jones and prospective MP Charlotte Leslie.

The competition was the highlight of an afternoon of entertainment, where even Mr Catley got up on stage to perform karaoke classic Mustang Sally.

The winner of the talent competition was a singer called Rhonda, with a singer called Leanne in second place and Paige in third place.

The Southmead Pride Majorettes and D-Street, a hip hop dance troupe, were also at the event. The two groups are sponsored by the Southmead carol bus.

The bus is part of the Southmead Pride project, which was set up by Mr Howell to bring the community together and has raised thousands of pounds for charities, sports clubs and groups.

Mr Howell, 51, said: "The afternoon was great, the judges couldn't get over how much talent there was in Southmead. We had a great turnout of people and raised enough money to fund the bus this year.

"Now we can't wait to get the bus on the road this Christmas and bring a bit of Christmas spirit to Southmead."

The bus will be touring elderly people's homes in Southmead on December 14, and the Lord Mayor will be on board for a trip from the Downs into the city centre on December 16. On December 18 there will also be a parade through Southmead starting at 5.30pm.

For more information visit www.southmeadpride.co.uk.