SWEET-toothed twins Sophie and Amy King chewed over a problem and successfully guessed the number of sweets in a jar.

The eight-year-olds, from Normanby, won the competition which had been puzzling youngsters during the school holiday at the Cleveland Shopping Centre, in Middlesbrough.

The twins share a £50 prize with four-year-old Ellie Johnston, of Stockton, who also guessed correctly that there were 346 sweets in the jar.

Twelve young aspiring pop singers who visited the shopping centre have won places in the final of the Top Spot singing contest on Saturday.

The contestants, aged between 11 and 18, have successfully qualified after two heats and will perform two songs in a bid to become this year's winner.

Prizes include recording time at Studio 64, a makeover and photographic session, presentation of a commissioned trophy and the opportunity to sing at the switch on of the Christmas lights.

David Ward, Cleveland Shopping Centre manager, said: "We have had a busy summer with competitions, Punch and Judy shows, face painting and other activities, but the Top Spot competition has exceeded our expectations this year.

"It is a fantastic platform for local young singers and is generating a lot of interest."