After months of preparation, the heats of Stoke's Top Talent 2010 are finally here. Zita Collinson was there to watch the first batch of singers and dancers compete for a coveted place in Saturday's final.

IT STARTED off in early summer as more than 300 singers, dancers and musicians signed up to take part in the region's most popular talent contest.

Auditions and callbacks followed and the entrants selected to take part anxiously waited to hear if they had made it through to the semi-finals.

And for those 40 finalists, whittled down from around 80 who made the shortlist, the journey isn't over.

This week, they will take part in four heats, all bidding for a place in Saturday's Grand Final.

But with only two places available from each night, the competition will be tough.

The ultimate winner will receive £1,000 and a role in Robinson Crusoe, alongside Potteries-born entertainer Jonathan Wilkes and soap star Jennifer Ellison.

Now in its third year, last year's champion Su Annagib appeared as the Sultana of Morocco in The Regent theatre's production of Dick Whittington.

Last night, the first batch of fresh hopefuls took to the stage hoping to repeat Su's success and impress judges Kevin Wood, Sentinel assistant editor Martin Tideswell and actress Susie Amy, above right.

First up to face the judges was Bucknall-based street-dancing group Hypnotic. The trio of girls certainly got the crowd going with a full-on performance and enough energy to make the older members of the audience feel more than a little envious of their break-dancing moves.

Little Maddison Smith held her nerve for a rendition of My Favourite Things from The Sound Of Music. At nine she was the youngest to take part and was singled out for her "tremendous talent" by panto producer Kevin Wood.

Claire Malpass wasn't about to plump for the easy option with a spine-tingling operatic style which won her similar praise from the panel.

The 16-year-old singer, from Meir Park, was followed by Ade Clarke, who chose to strut his stuff to Stevie Wonder's Superstition.

Completing the line-up prior to the interval was April Lancaster, ending on a mellow note with Snow Patrol's Run, and a word of encouragement from Kevin who said she had "the makings of a great singer."

As with previous years, it was Jonathan Wilkes who compered the show and acted as the contestants' buddy while the judges delivered their verdicts.

He certainly lent his support to popular Trentham dancers Deja Vu, who kick-started the second half with an energetic routine and a nod from Susie Amy as she named them her "favourite act of the night so far".

If next competitor Jodie Bailey was a familiar face to many, it's because this was the third time the now 14-year-old has entered Stoke's Top Talent.

Accompanying herself on piano, it became clear that there was good reason why she keeps returning – her version of Somewhere Over The Rainbow was surely one of the highlights of the evening.

Not that the quality diminished with Ryan Wakelam who belted out Good Morning Baltimore from the musical Hairspray or with gifted Zoe Conning, a 14-year-old singer and guitarist.

And despite some technical difficulties with his microphone, star in the making Joel Harper ended the night on a high with Queen's Who Wants To Live Forever.

After a few nervous minutes the judges picked two deserving contestants in Joel Harper and Jodie Bailey.

Not that the pair have chance to relax as they will have to go through it all again in Saturday's final.

As well as the two finalists from each of the four heats, Sentinel readers can still vote for the acts who don't manage to make it past the judges. The act with the most votes will go through to Saturday's final as will the act chosen by the audiences of the four heats.

Did your favourite get through last night? If not, why not vote for them to claim the wildcard spot?