POP star wannabes will have their chance to shine when Worcester's Pop Idol-style competition returns.

RSVP Idol, a singing contest modelled on the hit TV show, will see 20 acts battle it out in a series of gruelling live heats and eliminations.

The winner of the competition, now in its third year, will walk away with a cash prize of £1,000 and a session in a recording studio.

Auditions will be held at Huntingdon Hall in Deansway, Worcester, on Saturday, July 29.

Manager of RSVP in The Cross, Stewart Bellerby, said: "The first year it was massive, but this is going to be even bigger.

"It's really popular but we need some really good singers to spark it off."

For the first time the competition will be open to people aged 16 and above, rather than just adults.

Duos will also be able to show off their skills as well as solo performers.

Mr Bellerby said they were looking for talented singers with that special magical something to impress the judges and audience.

"You can have really good singers, but if they have

no personality then they won't win the crowd over," he added.

The hair for the finals will be styled by Bacalls of Reindeer Court, Worcester.

Last year's winner, Laura Synnuck, wowed the judges with her version of Whitney Houston's I Have Nothing, Maria Carey's Without

You, and Kelly Clarkson's Miss Independent.

The 25-year-old, from Pershore, has been a member of the Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society since she was 16 and has performed in musicals.

"The competition gave me more confidence to sing in the pubs," she said.

"I thought it was good for Worcester because it was another night for people to go out and enjoy themselves on what was usually a quite night in town."

Miss Synnuck said she will not be entering the competition this year.

Anyone wanting to take part in the auditions must first collect an application pack from RSVP.