THE cream of the borough's talent goes on show tomorrow night (Wednesday Aug 16) in the first heat of Power Sound 2000.

A top prize of £250 and maybe wider fame awaits the winners of the competition which is being held at Radcliffe Civic Suite.

Organisers hope that young stars from TV and representatives from record companies and artist managers will there to snap-up talent on finals night.

Power Sound 2000, run through the council's venues department, aims to showcase the abilities of young musicians, and perhaps become an annual event. More than 35 groups and artists were assessed and whittled down to a shortlist of 18 acts.

They will compete in three heats, on August 16, 23 and 30, with two winners from each night going on to the grand final on September 2.

The first and third heats feature a range of bands and singers, from light pop to heavy rock, indie and female groups. The middle heat is a sort of "Stars In Their Eyes" night with vocalists paying tribute to their favourite singers.

The line-up for tomorrow night's heat is: En-Tito, Tyburn, Aurora, The Undone and Munky Puzzle.

No fewer than eight acts take part in next Wednesday's heat. They are: P6, Candice Marchrones/Becki Bellamy, Vicky Marsden, Olivia Van Den Bergten, Franchy G, Jorden Hart, Rego, and Oliver Kraweckyj.

Playing the final heat are: Reverb, The Angry Red Planets, Mark Winstanley, The 69ers, and Andrew James Higham.

All the gigs are £2.50 admission, and doors open at 7pm.