TALENTED singers and musicians flocked to the auditions of S Factor which were held at the Little Vic in Gloucester Street, Stroud on Saturday.

The annual talent contest organised by the Stroud News & Journal has become a popular feature in the Five Valleys with the final show held to support Stroud's Goodwill Evening.

On Saturday, the panel of judges which included former X Factor contestant Christina Pittaway, were impressed by the extremely high standard of performances on the day and the final show looks like being an evening to catch some outstanding entertainment.

Other judges at the auditions were Stroud News & Journal editor Sue Smith and Newsquest Gloucestershire's promotions manager Brian Cook.

Some familiar faces turned up on the day, several contestants had auditioned and got through to the finals of last year's S Factor while others had been successful in other talent contests held by our sister papers the Wilts & Glos Standard and the Gloucestershire Gazette series.

The winner and three runners up will be chosen at the final show on Friday starting at 5pm at the Little Vic. Anyone attending the performance should arrive no later than 4.45pm to cause the least disruption to the performers on stage. There will be cash prizes and a trophy for the entertainer who wins first place.

Judges will be joined on Friday by last year's S Factor winner Katie Smith who will take over the guest judge's spot from Christina.

Watch the auditions on the Stroud News & Journal website at stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk which will be uploaded today, Wednesday, December 2.