A group of talented youngsters are hoping to make a good impression as they follow in the footsteps of Alistair McGowen.

The children have reached the semi-final of a national young impressionist competition.

Eight young mimics have been chosen to compete at the Asda store in Gateshead for a place in the grand final of the Haribo contest.

Eleven-year-old Sophie Hughs of Hamsterly near Bishop Auckland is hoping her impressions will hit the right note with the panel of judges. She is planning to win her way into the final with her takes on chart sensations Pink and Dido and Darlington's very own pop idol Zoe Birkett. Sophie said: "I love singing and was just singing to the radio when my mum said I sounded like Pink. "I then tried the others and realised I could do a few voices. "I want to be a singer or a film star when I am older and I am very excited about the competition. Joining Sophie on stage will be 12-year-old Hannah Stockton from Argyle Close in Darlington. Hannah is always doing impressions of her friends and family but has developed some more famous voices for the competition. She will be reliving a scene from Victoria Wood's sitcom Dinner Ladies, showing off her impression of Boycey from Only Fools and Horses and Sharon Watts from Eastenders. The Haughton Comprehensive School pupil is looking forward to the competition which will be held at Asda in Gateshead in a few weeks time. She said: "My family are going to come and cheer me on. I can't wait but I'm sure I'll be nervous on the day." Football fan Gavin Chochrane, 12, from Stockton Road in Hartlepool has a varied repertoire of stars in his collection of voices. He can pretend to be Cilla Black, Ali G and Johnny Vegas. Gavin said: "I just started taking people off when they were on television and realised I sounded like them. "I am very excited about the final and I hope I get through." The top two impressionists from the semi-final will go through to the grand final in Planet Hollywood in London to compete against 32 other young impressionists from all over the country. The final will be watched by a group of talent scouts and the two grand final winners will win a family holiday. Other semi-finalists from the region include Richard Perry, ten from High Heeton in Newcastle, Philip Dorman, 11, Thornhill in Sunderland and Jack Barrow,12 from Sunderland. The semi-final will take place Thursday July 18 from 10am to 4pm.