SINGERS from the North-East have the chance to enter a national contest to find new talent.

The regional heat for Festival4stars will be held at The Thistle Hotel, Middlesbrough, on Sunday, June 8.

A Festival4stars spokesman said: "We are not necessarily trying to create the next pop star, but merely trying to give genuine talent of all ages an opportunity to take their next, or maybe even their first, step in a musical career.

"This contest is different from all others as it caters for all age groups, from three to 73 years, and has solo, duet, tribute, original songs, country and western, and a very popular karaoke section."

There are two judges for each section, one to judge vocal ability, while the other concentrates on image and star quality.

The results are announced at a cabaret performance from 5.30pm to 7pm.

Winners then face competitors from the North-West and South, and Scotland.

Entry forms can be downloaded from the web or collected from The Thistle Hotel, Fry Street, Middlesbrough.

Alternatively people can enter over the phone by calling 0141-887 7541.

Entry is £5 per section, of which £3 goes to the Variety Club Children's Charity.

The deadline for entries is June 6 and all singers must be registered.

For more information, go to www.festival4stars.com