SWINDON’S stars had their last chance to shine at the final heat of Swindon Talent 2010.

The competition to find the town’s top performers saw people of all ages at Wootton Bassett School ranging from singers to dancers and percussionists using junk material as instruments.

Judging entrants was Swindon 105.5 station manager Shirley Ludford, Darren Edwards, for Culture Swindon, and Jeanette Ketcher, from the Swindon Music Service.

Ms Ludford said: “The standard really has been amazing, we’re looking forward to an absolutely superb night on August 8. So many people have made their debut here today and been performing for a short time so in that regard it was a very high standard, so well done.”

First place went to singer Charlotte Burch, second to Just Junk, a percussion band, and third to Indian dancer Suha Mubarrat.

Charlotte, 14, from Priory Vale, nearly did not make it to the stage due to last-minute nerves, but was judged the best with her rendition of Susan Boyle’s Proud.

“I have sung in front of an audience before, but this is probably the first competition I have entered,” she said.

“I did have a bit of a panic attack before I went on, but once I was up there it all came together. It’s all good experience.”

The teenager has been getting singing tuition since September last year, but said she has been singing all her life in front of her family and friends.

She dreams of a career in musical theatre.

Charlotte’s mother Evonne Burch, 38, was at the event with her other children Jessica, nine, and Katie, three, and husband Mark, 39.

Evonne said: “She was so nervous she almost pulled out, we were sat in the car park and she said ‘I can’t do this’.

“I’m very biased, but she’s absolutely brilliant.”

Mrs Ketcher was impressed by all the acts.

She said: “I think the dancer was superb and the band exceptional. I thought the winner was really good, she had good expression, good breathing technique, she was good with her emotions to the words, she connected.

“I think we’ve got exceptional talent in Swindon, we should be very proud of our youngsters.”

All go through to the grand final at the Wyvern Theatre on August 8.

Junk Band was made up of Hannah Soden, 17, Georgia Mason, 17, and Jack Whitfield, 17, all from Wootton Bassett, and Jo Roberts, 17, from West Swindon.

Their unique performance included body percussion and use of beer kegs, dustbins and trolleys as instruments.

Flute teacher Debbie Matthews, was there to support the Just Junk band, which she is involved with.

She said: “I was proud considering their first performance was yesterday.

“They wrote that piece themselves, they have decorated the junk, made their costumes.”

Entrant Sonia Smith, 35, from Wootton Bassett, said: “I love singing, I always sing.

“I was with Kentwood Choir for a while and just had a family and I didn’t do it anymore.”

Alan Holmes, from Holmes Music shop, in Faringdon Road, was in charge of sound.

He said: “It’s great to get the kids on stage, it gives them something to aim for.

“It just needs more people to be at the final to support it.”

l Tickets for the final are £9.50 (concessions £7.50) and are available at www.wyvern theatre.org.uk or from the box office on 01793 524481.