IF YOU dream of having your name in lights, a judge of Swindon's latest talent competition says you cannot afford to miss Swindon Talent 08.

Radio presenter Shirley Ludford, one of the contest's judges, said: "It's not easy to get yourself known.

"The whole idea is about having an opportunity and more than that, it's up to you.

"This is a great way of opening doors and having experts see if people have the talent they think they have."

The Adver has teamed up with Community Radio Swindon 105.5, the Arts Centre and four of our top summer carnivals to create a talent competition in the vein of TV's Britain's Got Talent programme.

Shirley will give her verdict on potential stars alongside Adver editor Dave King and Clarry Bean, manager of Swindon Arts Centre.

Anyone who can sing, dance, play an instrument, tell jokes, juggle, recite a poem or even play the spoons is welcome to enter.

"There's a massive amount of talent in Swindon and this is a great way of having some fun," said Shirley.

With inevitable comparisons to draw with the ITV programme, featuring Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan, Shirley laid down the gauntlet to her fellow judges.

"I quite fancy being Amanda Holden," she said.

"I think we should do a photograph and I'll wear the wig if Dave will wear the trousers."

Despite this comparison, Shirley has promised a fair go to everybody.

"We'll try and be kind, but also be honest," she said. "People will be put at ease - there will be no nasty Mr Cowell. The whole idea is it's not for professionals.

"It's for people who are amateur or who haven't done it before to have a go."

The Swindon Talent 08 team will be out in force on Saturday under the television screen at Wharf Green from noon, seeking out and talking to wannabe stars to promote the event and assess the level of talent in Swindon.

Anybody is welcome to show off their given skill, but this is not part of the audition process.

"Weird and wacky is good," said Shirley. "It would be interesting to have a spoon player versus a rock band."

A selection of the best talents displayed on Saturday will then be aired on Community Radio 105.5FM on Monday morning.

7:17pm Wednesday 21st May 2008

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