YOUNG singers and dancers are putting the gloss on their performances before the grand final of a regional talent contest at the weekend.

The best 25 acts are preparing to go head-to-head at Durham's Gala Theatre on Sunday to find the winner of TalentSTAR 2003.

Among the hopefuls preparing for the final are three acts from Greencroft School, in Annfield Plain, near Stanley.

Eight-strong dance group Indian Summer will be performing to Gareth Gates' Spirit in the Sky, Club 15 are six Year 8 pupils strutting their stuff to the sounds of Crush, while 16-year-old solo singer Lyndsay Carter will sing the specially-written Faded Dreams.

More than 1,000 acts have taken part in 20 heats at schools and colleges across County Durham, Tyneside and Wearside since January, prior to four recent semi-finals to whittle down the contenders to the talented 25-strong line-up for Sunday's show which starts at 6.30pm.

The winner, to be selected at around 10.30pm, will have a web site, photoshoot and recording session with producers who have worked with such industry giants as Universal Music.

An estimated 10,000 people have voted during the heats and semi-finals to decide which acts progressed. More performers in the region have been bidding for glory than entered national competitions like Pop Idol.

Adam Chetter, TalentSTAR development manager, said: "Whereas Pop Idol and Fame Academy sees performers seeking instant fame, the performers who have taken to the stage on the tour are all in it for the love of performing.

"But, who knows, the next Robbie, Kylie or even Stereophonics might be found at the show."