Twelve finalists in the Loddon's Got Talent contest will be battling it out for the £1,000 prize money on offer.

Eastern Daily Press: David Pennington from Pennington's Opticians, Hazel Hedington from Youngs Funeral Directors, finalist Sam Bailey holding Tilly, Marie Smith-Norton from Watsons Estate Agents, Dave Disney from Wymondham's Got Talent and the compére Ray Wharton. Picture: Caroline Bown.David Pennington from Pennington's Opticians, Hazel Hedington from Youngs Funeral Directors, finalist Sam Bailey holding Tilly, Marie Smith-Norton from Watsons Estate Agents, Dave Disney from Wymondham's Got Talent and the compére Ray Wharton. Picture: Caroline Bown. (Image: Archant)

The semi final last weekend saw talented residents from Norfolk and Suffolk performing in front of a large audience and the panel of judges.

From street dancing to dog tricks, singing, drumming and tap dancing, there was a variety of talents on show, with the 23 performers whittled down for the final this Saturday.

The finalists are Tammy Baverstock, a singer from Beccles, Abi Flatt, a singer from Norwich, Sam Bailey with her dog Tilly from Loddon, Richard Watson, a singer and guitarist from Lowestoft, Amy Morris and Archie Buck, singers and guitarists from Norwich, Christian Lovick, a singer from Loddon, Isabelle Rose-Connell, a singer from Norwich, Conner Bailey, a street dancer from Lowestoft, Anna Treutler, a singer and songwriter from Loddon, Michael Sturman, a magician from Burgh Castle, Perry Cooke, a singer from Norwich and Verity Dos Santos, a singer from Hales.

Three Loddon businesses have sponsored the prizes, with £700 for the winner from Youngs Funeral Directors, £200 for second from Penningtons Opticians and £100 for third from Watsons Estate Agents.

Caroline Bown, chairman of Loddon and District Business Association, which organised the competition with support from South Norfolk Council through the market towns initiative, said: 'I was so impressed by the calibre of all of the performers. It is not a mean feat playing to a live audience with a panel of judges looking straight at you but they all did so well.

'I'm really looking forward to the final on Saturday and bringing a few friends with me to see it as I know the 12 acts that were chosen by the judges will give us an excellent show.

'Tickets are selling really fast so make sure you don't miss out on a fabulous evening.'

The compère for the contest was Ray Wharton.

The final will be held at Hobart High School in Kittens Lane, Loddon at 6pm on Saturday, June 17.

Tickets cost £5 or £3 for concessions, available from Penningtons and Youngs in Loddon.