IT S time to entertain and show the rest of St Neots that you ve got talent. And by taking part in a new talent showcase, you could win a cash prize and get the chance to perform in a Civic Command Variety Show at the town s Riverside Festival this summe

IT'S time to entertain and show the rest of St Neots that you've got talent.

And by taking part in a new talent showcase, you could win a cash prize and get the chance to perform in a Civic Command Variety Show at the town's Riverside Festival this summer.

The competition - called Let Us Entertain You - has been launched by the Mayor of St Neots, Councillor Gordon Thorpe, who said he was inspired by the young performers at the Ascension Fair in May.

Cllr Thorpe told The Hunts Post: "During a concert of school choirs and musicians I thought there is just so much talent in this town, let's get these people seen."

The prizes are �100 for the top act, and �50 and �25 for those who come second and third.

To win the entrants will have to perform in two heats.

However, it will not be the daunting task which reduces people to tears on television talent shows - there will be absolutely no one like Simon Cowell and all feed back will be positive, said Cllr Thorpe.

Entrants must be aged over 10 but there is no maximum age.

All acts are welcome to display their talents - from bands, singers, dancers and ventriloquists through to acrobats, twirlers, mime artists, comedians and magicians.

Cllr Thorpe added: "If you can talk and breathe, you can go on. Show us what you can do.

"I am trying to bring the community together and to regenerate the town's community spirit. I want to show what a lot of talent St Neots has. It will be good for everyone.

"We want to keep it relaxed, so that the auditions are fun for everyone."

Auditions will take place on Sunday, July 26 and Sunday, August 2 in The Great Hall at the Priory Centre, St Neots from 5pm to 8pm.

There will be 16 acts chosen for the Grand Final at The Priory Centre on Saturday, August 22, starting at 7pm. The top three performers, as voted by the judges, will perform at the Riverside Festival on August 29.

The judges will include a voice coach, a dance teacher, a previous St Neots Carnival Queen, Cllr Gordon Thorpe, and the editor of The Hunts Post, Andy Veale.

INFORMATION: Entry to the auditions is �1 per act. The audience ticket is �5. The Riverside Concert is free. All proceeds will go to the Mayor of St Neots' charities.

Terms and conditions apply. Children aged under 15 will need to have their parent or guardian's permission to enter the competition.

BOX: Have you got a talent? Send your best video clips - no more than a minute long - to editor@huntspost.co.uk We'll put the best ones on our website.

HOW TO ENTER

Entry forms are available on The Hunts Post website - www.huntspost24.co.uk - by clicking on the Let Us Entertain You logo on the home page. Alternatively, forms are available for collection from St Neots Town Council. All forms need to be returned to: Let Us Entertain You, St Neots Town Council, The Priory, St Neots, PE19 2BH by July 20. Town council opening hours are from 9am until 5pm Monday to Thursday and 9am until 4.30pm Fridays.