Bristol youngsters in the search for a star spotlight

The adrenaline will be rushing for 13 youngsters as they make their final preparations before the second round of the Evening Post/Fry Club Junior Search for a Star competition.

The prestigious talent contest reaches its half-way point tomorrow night, when once again the Keynsham stage will be lit up by performers from all across the region.

Now in its 16th year, the competition attracts the best young singers, dancers, mime artists and musicians, all keen to show what they can do in front of a crowd of hundreds.

Weeks and months of rehearsals will all boil down to little more than five minutes under the hot lights of the Fry Club, and only a handful of youngsters can go through at any one time.

Last week five talented performers made it through to the final – Harriet Campbell, 13, from Keynsham, Georgie Taylor, 13, from Kingswood, Soheila Clifford, 11, from Cheltenham, Georgie Henderson, 13, from Clevedon, and The Fringe – a metal covers band, made up of lead guitarist Jack Barrett, drummer Joe Probert, singer Harry Hoddinott and bass player John Worgan, all 12 and from Oldland Common.

Tomorrow night's 13 contestants are:

Kristen White, 13, a singer from Bradley Stoke; Sophie Wilkins, 13, from Hanham; Patricia-Alexia Ekall, 13, from Lockleaze; Curtis Rayner, nine, a saxophonist from Yate; Felix Percival, eight, a dancer from Brislington; Shadia Baydoun, 11, a street dancer from Sea Mills; Kaisha Baldie, 10, a singer from St George; Joe Collins, 12, a singer from Whitchurch; Helen James, 13, a singer from Downend; Chloe Smart, 12, a singer from Downend; James Elmer, 11, a dancer from Keynsham; Florence Wadley, 12, a singer from Tickenham; Amie Borszcz, 11, a singer from Southmead.

Deb Dyer, organiser of the Junior Search for a Star competition, said: "We are looking forward to some strong competition this week with 13 acts. A very high standard was set last week, with very strong performances from all the acts, particularly the five who won their way through to the final.

"Junior Search for a Star is probably the best junior talent competition in the area and has produced two acts that have gone on to win the senior competition and enter the world of professional entertainment.

"It gives us as organisers and the audience great pleasure to see these young people blossom as soon as the music starts and the lights come up."

There are three heats in total, with the last on Sunday, October 4, before the grand final on October 11.

And again this year there are some fantastic prizes for the best performers. The winner will take home a cheque for £150 and the Junior Search for a Star trophy.

Second place will boost their money box to the tune of £100, while £75 will go to third place and £50 for fourth.

Tomorrow night's second heat starts at 7pm at the Fry Club in Keynsham. Tickets cost £2 for adults and £1 for under 18s, and family and friends are encouraged to come along to support.

For more information on the competition, call 937 6500.