ROBBIE Williams and Britney Spears look-alikes launched a Pop Idol-style competition at Sunderland Empire Theatre yesterday.

Sunderland's Number One is open to North-East youngsters aged eight to 16 and applicants can also attend voice and dance workshops over the summer.

Auditions will select the best to appear in an August grand final, where judges include talent scouts from Sunderland record label faxyourtrax, management firm The Bunker, and music development agency Generator.

First prize is a day at The Bunker studios with technical support to record a CD.

Apply at www.new-generation.org.uk or call 0191-553 4578.