Amateur singers gave their all in a bid to win £2,000, a studio recording, a chance to headline their own show, as well as do media interviews and airtime.

Sing Your Heart Out was set up to give amateur singers in Norfolk an outlet to be able to perform any style of music they want to.

The competition was started by Gary Winter of Allseason Productions in partnership with Becky Ingham. to give anyone over the age of 12 the chance to sing to an audience without audition or entrance fees.

Mr Winter, 50, joined the National Youth Theatre at the age of 13 and began performing with bands on stage and the local cabaret circuit when he was just 16.

Mr Winter said: “My mainstream employment in community development, worked in youth work settings, creating opportunities for young people to access music and perform, and has gained popularity over the years.

“In recent years we held more events, concerts and festivals such as a swing jazz picnic, and an annual vintage music event at Holt Hall which is taking place again on August 13/14.

The Sing Your Heart Out competition is financed by local companies and businesses with the heats taking place from February to April and held at venues including pubs, clubs, schools, shopping centres and football clubs.

Last week another round was held at the Kings Arms in Ludham, where seven singers competed for the semi-finals. They were Lexie Fields, 13, Matthew Hollingshead, 36, Georgina Konig, 32, Amy Morris, 17, Jennifer Pallister, 26, Teela Starr, 12 and Maria Willis, 18. Some had experienced performing at gigs but others had never sung in public before.

Judges were Andrew Glover, representative from Allseason Productions; Matt Hall, head of music at Stalham High School; and Judi Ingram, leader of local drama groups.

And the three competitors chosen to go forward to the semi–finals on March 10 at the Kings Arms, Ludham were Lexie Fields, Georgina Konig and Amy Morris.