COMPETITION was fierce at auditions for The Citizen supported Search for a Star on Tuesday night.

No less then 26 hopefuls turned up at South Ribble Civic Centre, West Paddock, Leyland, for their chance to earn a place in the grand final on March 19.

But 26 became ten as a six-strong panel of judges voted for the best of the bunch.

One man who will help to crown the pop king or queen is, Alan Green, an enforcement officer for planning at the council. He is a professional drummer and is certainly is no stranger to the limelight.

Alan has backed famous singers including Tony Christie of Do You Know the Way to Amarillo? fame and co-wrote, Reach Out, a charity song for Children in Need in 1989.

He said: "I used to live in New Zealand and played the drums for Captain Fogpocket, the first pop band our town had ever seen."

Alan, who will be judging the competition for the second time, said he is looking forward to the final.

He said: "I think it's great and it will give a lot of exposure to up-and-coming talent."

He even likened himself to ITV1's own Pop Idol judge Mr Nasty.

"I see myself as the Simon Cowell of South Ribble. I will encourage them but if they are bad then I will tell them," he said.

Alan gave up full-time performing in the 80s and started work in the legal profession nearly eight years ago.

Now, at 53, he has picked up his drumsticks again and is performing with local rock band, Spikes, in pubs across Lancashire.

"I've always enjoyed entertaining and as a group we're quite unique because our ages range from 20 to me at 53," he said. "It's great to be back and even better because my wife Sue supports what I do."

The ten finalists now have a chance to scoop the £200 jackpot prize donated by BNFL Westinghouse when they face the judges, including Citizen news editor Jane Willis, in the grand final.

They are Rachel Cooper, 18, Sarah Bayliss, 35, Melanie Waite, 14, and Sam Farrer, 18, all from Leyland; Megan Edmondson, 10, and Craig Worsley, 14, from Fulwood; Jessica Schofield, 13, from Longton; Hannah Johns, 19, from Ashton; Katie Bradley, 16, from Little Hoole and Sara Creeney, 13, from Hutton.

All proceeds from the event will go towards mayoral charities including St Catherine's Hospice in Lostock Hall, Preston; Preston and District branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Leyland Support Group for Diabetes UK.