TALENTED young hopefuls sang their hearts out at a Pop Idol-style contest that could set them on the road to stardom.

Students from Bishop Auckland College, St John's RC and Bishop Barrington schools, in Bishop Auckland, took part.

The 15 singers performed their favourite songs in the hope of winning a place in the semi-finals of the contest run by North-East based TalentSTAR.

Sarah Jane Watson, 17, stole the show with her version of Everywhere.

Runner-up Louise Hopper, 22, sang Gloria Estefan's Here We Are.

The judges from TalentSTAR also chose Sean Dixon, 18, who performed Englishman in New York, and Amanda Clixpy, 12, who sang Strawberry Wine and Dirty.

Amy Maxwell, 12, danced, her way through to the next stage, which will be held in Stanley.

The overall winner will get a professional recording and photo session and a web site developed.

Spokeswoman Catherine Shaw said: "The evening was a great success and attracted a lot of very good talent."