WOULD-be stars of the stage will hope to shine this weekend during what is billed as the North West's biggest talent competition.

Search for a Star returns to Winsford on Saturday and organisers promise a fun-filled night of variety performance.

There will be music, comedy and singing as ten amateur performers battle it out in a bid to reach the big time.

Among them will be three acts from Winsford, rock-group Rain - with Woodford High governor Alan Badder - and singers Laverne Scott Roberts and Emma Burrows.

Not only that, but local charity-groups are set to profit as organisers make donations live on stage.

Producer Wendy Cooper said: "The standard is much, much higher than we have ever had before. It was really hard to pick the final ten because they were all so good.

"Everybody who comes is going to have a really entertaining night. It's a family show with a wide variety of entertainment of a very high quality."

Other acts come from Crewe and Northwich. They include rock group Oblivion, comedienne Madanna, singer Sharon Scott and song and dance act Musical Mayhem.

The ten - who have already made it through one set of heats - will be hoping to impress a panel of celebrity judges, winning a slice of the over £600 prize money and, perhaps, doing enough to get a shot at going professional.

Previous winner Lee Potter will be there to sing away his year, and the Joan Pierpoint Dancers and other acts will be up on stage too.

Representatives of Winsford cubs, the Over Three football team and Leighton Hospital will also be among those picking up their cheques on stage.

And, as a warm-up for the big night, Manchester's Stetson Stompers will be line-dancing in the town centre.

Wendy added: "We call this the North West's biggest talent show and over the years we have gone from a small event to something very big. Nobody who comes on the night will be disappointed."

SEARCH for a Star is at Winsford Civic Hall this Saturday. For details, please ring 867539.

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