ROSSENDALE is looking for its very own pop icon and a talented songwriter to come up with a number one hit.

The competition is being organised by pub and club singers Terry Swan and Annette Carl at the Swan Hotel, in Market Street, Bacup.

Artists aged 14 to 24 are invited to enter and songwriters are also asked to contribute their own tunes.

Anyone under 18 will have to be accompanied by an adult to the auditions and would be songsters wanting to enter can get an application form from Terry on 01706 876543.

Annette said: "We are looking to find Rossendale's very own pop icon and give them a start on a recording career by having a demo tape made professionally at Studio Studio in Whitworth and helping them with publicity.

"We also want them to demo an original song so we are also asking writers to pen a tune which the winning singer will perform.

"We are holding the competition from April 12 at 7.30pm for ten weeks with a winner and a reserve being selected each week and the grand final will be held on June 22.

"We will be giving voice coaching lessons to anyone who wins and we have judges from the Royal Court Theatre and professional singers and musicians."