Has Dereham got young talent? Yes, it has!

And to prove it, more than 20 wannabe winners have entered a young entertainers' competition that will form part of Dereham Festival 2012.

Dereham's Got Talent! has attracted acts including dancers in various styles, solo singers and duets, gymnasts, a comedian, instrumentalists and a concert pianist.

Festival chairman Jim Stebbings said the age range of the contestants was 10 to 18, and they had been drawn from not only Dereham but Watton and various mid-Norfolk villages, as well as Robertson Barracks at Swanton Morley – home of the Light Dragoons.

He added: 'I am very pleased with the response we've had, especially the variety of things that the contestants can do.

'I think it should be an important part of any festival of this kind to have something for all age groups. Dereham's Got Talent! was targeted deliberately to include the younger people of the area.'

Six judges watched the hopefuls performing at a selection heat last night.

Mr Stebbings said the aim was to choose about a dozen acts from the 23 hopefuls to appear at the grand final, taking place on Friday, June 15 at Dereham Memorial Hall.

He said the selection process would last a few days and the finalists would be announced later.

'I must say that the quality was fantastic and they were very entertaining,' Mr Stebbings added.

Dereham Festival starts on Saturday, May 19 and runs until Saturday, June 16. Copies of the full programme are now available widely in the town and at www.derehamfestival.org.uk. The festival box office can be contacted on 07780 769606.