CONTEST ENTRIES FLOOD IN

EXCITEMENT is growing in the build up to Cheltenham's biggest entertainment showcase of the year.

Entries for Cheltenham's Top Talent are flooding in and key figures behind the event are encouraging even more people to sign up.

And one of the UK's premier Del Boy impersonators will also provide entertainment at the final in Beechwood shopping centre in December.

Maurice Canham said: "This is going to be the creme de la menthe of all competitions.

"Who knows, if you win you could become a millionaire, so come on, enter, you know it makes sense – you'd be a plonker not to."

Maurice, who has won awards for his act as the Only Fools and Horses character, will be on stage for the final at the Beechwood Shopping Centre on December 18.

He added: "Seriously, I'm looking forward to being part of Cheltenham's Top Talent and helping the mayor's charities raise as much money as possible.

"It should be a real winner."

Borough mayor Councillor Barbara Driver came up with the event as a way to raise money for her charities.

Cheltenham YMCA, National Star College and the St Vincent's and St George's Association hope to gain thousands of pounds from what will be one of the town's biggest ever talent contests.

The Beechwood stepped in to host the event, which is being promoted by the Gloucestershire Echo.

Singers, dancers, acrobats and poets are expected to be among the entrants.

Beechwood centre manager Owen Acland said: "We are thrilled to be supporting the competition and look forward to seeing the range and quality of talent that we know the people of Cheltenham are going to deliver. As we get closer to the event, the excitement is beginning to build. The momentum has already started and we anticipate that the auditions will be a great way to introduce the event to the town before the grand final in December."

Mr Acland, Mrs Driver and Echo editor Kevan Blackadder are the judges.

Entries should be sent to the Gloucestershire Echo by noon on November 11, with auditions taking place at the Beechwood on November 26 and 27. The final will be on December 18.

For more details on how to enter visit www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/toptalent.