EIGHTY acts aged from three to 92 provided 12 hours of entertainment in a unique Performathon at Blackburn's Red Brick Theatre.

All kinds of musical, theatrical and dance skills were on display in a talent show which is expected to raise about £2,000 towards the Red Brick Theatre appeal. Judges worked through the day to select 10 finalists from the 67 individual and 13 group acts.

The finalists performed last night to an audience of several hundred and a panel of judges who presented Blackburn-based four-piece singing group Classique with a special trophy.

Tap dancer Cheryl Watkinson, of Pat Eaket's Schoo of Dancing, and guitarist Brett Sadler, of Redearth Road, Darwen, were joint runners-up. Compere and appeal organiser Mike Berry said: "It has been a phenomenal day.

"We must have had 500 people taking part and we have seen an enormous variety of talent."

The show case was the brainchild of Blackburn with Darwen Arts Council secretary Sylvia Alexander, who said she hoped it would now become an annual event.

The proceeds will go towards the Red Brick Theatre Trust's appeal, which is already halfway to the £300,000 target.

The cash will unlock lottery funds of more than £1.3 million, which will be used to transform the old cinema into a 300-seater theatre with rehearsal and conference facilities.

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