YOUNG singers will hear the fruits of their labours launched over the airwaves and in record stores.

Finalists in a regional talent contest came together to contribute to the mass vocals on the recording of a charity Band Aid-style single.

About 80 aspiring performers feature on More Than the Need, which goes on sale around the North-East on Monday. It was put together in a single day at the White Wolf Recording Studios, at Tanfield Lea, near Stanley.

Proceeds from sales of the single, which is starting to receive air play on local radio, will go towards the North-East children's charity Just for Kids, assisting disadvantaged and disabled youngsters.

Before the CD goes 'public' the young vocalists will be fighting it out in the final of the talentStar series, at Newcastle's Tyne Theatre and Opera House, on Sunday.

All 28 acts will perform before the judges select this year's winner by the end of the evening. The show, hosted by Metro Radio DJ Wayne Tunnicliffe, begins at 6pm. More than 750 tickets have been sold, but a few remain available at the box office, on (0191) 232 0899.

More Than the Need will be available from Asda, HMV, Virgin Megastore, Music Zone and from the talentStar website, www.talentstar.net