It will be a sizzling summer of hot entertainment as musicians, actors, comedians, dancers, circus acts and magicians compete in our annual talent competition to find new stars.

Swindon Talent ‘11 was launched in Wharf Green as part of the St George’s Day celebrations by last year’s winner Jahmene Douglas.

The stage in front of the Big Screen will host the first heat in the competition on Saturday May 28 from noon to 2pm.

Simon Jackson chief executive of InSwindon said: “We are delighted that the first heat is to be in the town centre. It is a great event area and it means we can get the infrastructure right so every has a wonderful event. Lots of Swindon people have different talents and we hope to uncover them at the event.’’ Entries are already flooding in for the contest now in its fourth year and going from strength to strength. It is run by the Swindon Advertiser and Swindon 105.5 community radio with technical support from Holmes Music.

The second heat will be at Purton Village Hall from 7.30pm to 9pm as part of the carnival week. This year’s carnival theme is appropriately Musicals.

New kid on the block this year is The Platform in Faringdon Road which will host the third heat of Swindon Talent ‘11 on Thursday June 16 from 6pm to 8pm. It is an open mic night.

The Old Town Festival is one of the highlights of Swindon’s year and as part of the fun and frolic the fourth heat of the talent show gets underway on Sunday June 26 from 11.30am to 1pm in the Old Town Bowl, Town Gardens.

Bob Barrow, better known as Elvis and a former contender in Swindon Talent himself, is one of the leading lights on the festival committee. He said: “We enjoy being associated with Swindon Talent because it is part of the festival. We are looking forward to the artists doing a warm up for the afternoon’s festival entertainment.’’ The Wootton Bassett Arts Festival is hosting the fifth heat at Wootton Bassett School on Friday July 1 from 7pm to 9pm. The art festival is a celebration of artistic talent in and around Wootton Bassett.

The Big Arts Day at Lydiard Park in Swindon will host the final heat on Saturday July 9 from noon to 2pm.

Shirley Ludford, station manager from Swindon 105.5 community radio will be compering each heat and there will be experienced judges chosen from the art world.

The Wyvern Theatre in Swindon will again be hosting the grand final on Saturday August 6. Derek Aldridge the theatre general manager said: “The Wyvern is delighted to, once again, be hosting the grand final of Swindon Talent. Swindon is bursting with talent and we host local performers throughout the year. This competition is the perfect way to celebrate this extraordinarily talented town.”