BUDDING Britney Spears and eager Elvis Presleys from across the town hit the stage and strutted their stuff to be in with a chance of winning a cash prize.

Vocalists hit the high notes at The Victoria pub, in Old Town, as part of Pubstars, a national competition.

The event on Sunday was the first of seven heats in the town, which will see the Swindon champ going through to the semi-finals to be in with a chance of winning themselves £2,000.

Dave Young, landlord at The Vic, said: "The first heats were really excellent and it was really packed here.

"We had 14 entrants and then, while the judges were making their decision, a lot of the contestants came back on for an open-mic session. It was fun."

The winner of the heat was Norman Dowie, from Swindon, with his rendition of a Meat Loaf song.

Dave, pictured, said: "With the performance he put in you'd have thought he really was Meat Loaf. Everybody was cheering."

The overall winner of the national competition, will have the chance to record their performance, as well as picking up the cash prize. The next heat is at the Nine Elms pub on Friday night, and the after that at The Vic on Sunday.

Landlady at the Nine Elms, Jules Dus, was at Sunday's event.

She said: "I'm hoping ours will be just as good. We've had a lot of interest."

Entry is free. For more information call the Nine Elms on 01793 770442 or The Vic on 01793 535713.