POPSTAR wannabes will have the chance to shine at a summer concert for new North-East acts.

The Talentstar Summer Pop Party will take place in the Lamplight Arts Centre, Stanley, County Durham, on Saturday, June 21.

Stanley promoter Genius Entertainment is looking for solo singers and groups to perform.

Organiser Adam Chetter said: "In previous shows, we have discovered the likes of Popstars: The Rivals' Chris Park and Felany, who have gone on to support the likes of A1 and Liberty X.

"If you are a first-time performer or even someone with a bit of experience, it is a fantastic opportunity to perform in front of hundreds of people. You never know who may be in the audience."

Mr Chetter is planning a national tour next year and is keen to promote North-East acts.

He said: "The North-East is a special place with lots of fantastic performers.

"But there are so few opportunities to be seen. These shows are important for performers to enhance their experiences and also work with people in the music industry at the same time.

"The only North-East performers to have made a success of themselves in the past few years have been Michelle Heaton, from Liberty X, Girls Aloud's Cheryl Tweedy, Zoe Birkett and Aaron Bailey - and they have all been found on TV talent shows, which highlights the lack of opportunities."

Genius Entertainment is half-way through its Talentstar Live Auditions tour, which started in January.

About 1,250 performers from 25 schools in the region are taking part.

The audience at each school audition, featuring performers aged 11 to 18 from that school, will vote for who goes into the next round.

Semi-finals will be held at the Lamplight Arts Centre, in Stanley, and the competition will finish at the Gala Theatre, Durham, at the end of June.

One act will win a website, recording sessions at Oblivion Studios, in Stockton, and a photo session at David Lawson's Crown Photography, in Sunderland.

Anyone interested in auditioning is asked to call (01207) 284 720.