TEESSIDE'S most talented senior citizens are looking forward to battling it out with other pensioners from across the North-East when they take part in a regional singing competition.

The search is on for the nation's best elderly voice and five people from the district have secured their place in the next round of the Yours Silver Stars Talent Contest.

Rita Stafford, 62, of Beechwood Road, Eaglescliffe, impressed the judges at last week's heats when she sang This is My Lovely Day and I'll Never Walk Alone.

She said: "It is just a bit of fun but I enjoy singing and thought it would be good to give it a go. I have not done anything like this before and I have been full of cold so I am very pleased to have got this far."

Mrs Stafford was one of five winners who will go through to the regional final at Middlesbrough Theatre on June 5.

She will face competition from Rose Bottomley, 64, of Princess Road, Saltburn, and 69-year-old Eileen Davey, of Lakeside Fishponds, Yarm.

Male winners were Raymond Nelson, 68, of Kirkby Lane, Kirkby, and Gordon Smith, 62, of Park Lane, Guisborough.

If successful in the area final, they will join fellow silver stars from around the country to perform in front of an audience of 2,000 at the final on July 30, at Southport's Apollo Theatre.

A judging panel will choose the best act who will be crowned Yours Silver Star and receive £1,000 in prize money.