They came from across Bristol and beyond to wow the audience with their performances and show that they have what it takes to be crowned this year's Search for a Star champion.

Eight out of the nine contestants had taken part in the competition before and four of them even made it through to last year's finals.

After more than two hours of music, the acts waited nervously to find out whether they had done well enough to be put through to the semi-finals.

Finally, the judges announced that the lucky performers were Amy Fussell, Jade Wilkinson, Kerri Snow, Katie Mallin, Kirsty Clinch and Crystal Cooper.

Deb Dyer, the competition's organiser and manager of the Fry Club, said: "It's been another great heat. It is always good to see so many previous contestants returning."

The first name called out to go through to the next round Amy, 15, from Warmley.

Amy, a pupil at Sir Bernard Lovell School, sang Stevie Wonder's Superstition and Leona Lewis' version of Snow Patrol's Run.

She said: "I am so happy. I got through to the semi finals last time so maybe this year I can go further – I definitely feel more prepared and confident this time."

Next through was Jade, 15, from Swindon, who made it to last year's finals.

Jade, who is part of a local choir and has performed in musicals at her local theatre, raised the roof when she opened the show with her rendition of the theme song from the musical Fame followed by Here I Am, a slower number by Leona Lewis.

She said: "I am really excited – it was such a tough competition, I didn't think I would get through."

Third to go through was Kerri, 18, from Filton, who had to pull out of last year's semi- finals because she lost her voice.

Kerri, who works in her local Co-op and is hoping to return to college next year to study music, sang Etta James' At Last and Angel by Sarah McLachlan.

She said: "I was really shocked to be called up tonight. This year I'm going to sing in the semi-final whatever happens – even if I lose my voice again!"

Fourth through was Katie, 19, from Staple Hill, who has taken part in the competition twice before but has taken a couple of years off to look after her 10-month-old son Charlie.

She sang Get Here (If you can) by Oleta Adams and Proud by Heather Small.

She said: "I really enjoyed it – it felt great to be back on the stage."

Next to be called up to go through was care assistant Kirsty, 20, who travelled about an hour-and-a-half from her home in Wiltshire to take part in the competition for the third time – last year she finished fourth.

Accompanying herself on guitar, Kirsty dazzled the audience with her own song Mr and Mrs Perfect, followed by a cover version of Goldfrapp's A&E.

She said: "I am so glad I got through – it was very difficult competition. It was nice to see people that were in it last year."

Last to go through was Crystal, 15, who travelled all the way from Dorset for last night's heat.

Crystal, who won Junior Search for a Star in 2006 and was a finalist in the senior competition last year, has been taking part in the competitions since she was nine years old and has a record deal with a label in Los Angeles.

She impressed the judges with her powerful performances of LeAnn Rimes' Commitment and Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah.

She said: "There were so many good singers tonight. I can't wait for the semis."

The judges – actress Louise Gambrell, Clifton College music teacher Dave Miles and singer-songwriter Anthony Sanchez – said it was a close competition.

Anthony said: "It was a very hard decision, because there were some fabulous singers tonight."

Also taking part were Adam Workman, 16, from Oldland Common, Simon Cooper, 25, from Mangotsfield and Christie Bryant, 14, from Downend.

The third Search for a Star heat will be at the Fry Club next Sunday.