Aspiring young singers are one step closer to performing with their idols in a Big Gig for 4,000 young people after winning their county heats at the weekend.

Emma Woods – a Brownie from North Bradley – and guide leader Allie Winchcombe and guide Connie Fiducia-Brookes, from Devizes, compete at the regional finals next month near Salisbury where they will put their all into winning a place on stage to sing with JLS, Aidan Grimshaw and the Loveable Rogues.

The three beat 16 other singers at the county finals, when they performed solos in their respective age groups in front of 300 people.

Emma Woods (9-12yrs) belted out a version of Don’t Stop Believing inspired by her favorite television show Glee; Allie Winchcombe (17-25yrs) sang and played a classical guitar version of Bryan Adams’ hit Heaven; and Connie Fiducia-Brookes (13-16yrs) sang the Gabrielle Aplin version of Power of Love.

Watching the finals, held at Lavington School, Diane Bouault, Guide County Commissioner, said: “The girls have rehearsed measuring their voices against backing tracks or live accompaniment, and gained tremendous confidence from performing in front of a large crowd, continuing their fun of being a part of Girlguiding.”

The event, part of the Big Gig organised by Girlguiding Southwest England, is designed to discover the best singing talents among its 60,000 young members and give them an experience of a lifetime with a place on stage at the finals in Bournemouth.