Andy's flying without wings (From Stroud News and Journal)

Andy's flying without wings

WHILE the nation was gripped in a Pop Idol frenzy on Saturday, Stroud was churning out some hot Saturday night fever of its own.

More than 50 people were turned away from the Subscription Rooms as 350 people packed the hall to see the town's prodigious young talent strut their stuff on stage.

A line up of 26 acts including singers, dancers and bands competed in The Door Youth Project's Talent Contest for Undiscovered Youth - the first of its kind to be held in Stroud.

Youngsters had undergone three weeks of auditions in January and on Saturday only the best remained to fight it out for top place in the different categories.

The six categories were vocalist/instrumentalist, best band, best act for 16s and under, best dancer, audience favourite (judged by a clapometer) and Best in Show.

The overall winner of the evening was 19-year-old, Andy Lea whose performance of Westlife's Flying Without Wings earned him first place in the Best in Show as well as the vocalist category.

His double win earned him six hours of recording time at Stroud's DB Recording Studios.

Three brothers won the Best Band category with their band, Recurring Dream and Sam Clifford won the 16s and under section and became audience favourite with his rendition of Fame.

Self-taught 12-year-old Stevie-Marie Davies stole hearts and the show with her performance to win best dancer and a series of dance lessons at Archway School.

Project co-ordinator at The Door, Brendan Conboy, said: "Andy Lea is destined for stardom. Many of the acts we saw were very talented.

"It was our first talent show but the reaction was so amazing we have already booked the Sub Rooms for next year."

The event was expected to raise around £600 for The Door project which provides a drop-in centre for people aged 11 to 25 and it includes a counselling service and training for unemployed youngsters.