Richard Batson The stage is set as 17 local acts step into the spotlight in a bid to join the cast of Norfolk's star summer show.

Richard Batson

The stage is set as 17 local acts step into the spotlight in a bid to join the cast of Norfolk's star summer show.

A competition to find a home-grown entertainer to appear in next year's Seaside Special season at Cromer is coming to the boil - with a final looming next month.

Singers, magicians, ventriloquists and illusionists, along with a woman clown, have all thrown their hats in the ring in the contest run by pier bosses Openwide International, in conjunction with the EDP and BBC Radio Norfolk.

Now organisers are hoping for a packed house of fans of the acts and supporters of the popular show, as judges pick the entertainer who will be a part of next year's cast.

The audience should add an extra dimension and a little tension to

the final on the night of Saturday, November 1 at the Pier Pavilion.

Winners of the first round heat - staged in front of the judges earlier in the day - will battle it out to impress with their talents as they attempt to win the ultimate prize.

Acts from across the UK battle to get into the Cromer cast, which is renowned for its slick comedy, song, dance and speciality acts. But the Norfolk Find a Star competition is a new venture looking to add in some local talent too.

Bruce Stratton, marketing manager for the Pavilion Theatre said: "We all hope that we will have a full house for this very exciting show.

"Certainly we expect the performers to enlist the support of their family and friends and encourage the judges to make the 'right decision' with their applause and vocal support.

"I am sure that the larger the audience, the more it will help our acts; we are used to packed houses for Seaside Special and we really would like to create that sort of atmosphere for the final".

The judges for the final in front of the live audience include the

devisor and director of Seaside Special Di Cooke, the EDP's Paul Durrant and BBC Radio Norfolk's David Clayton.

Tickets for the show are on sale now at just £7 for a night that should be one to remember, and for one lucky performer, perhaps change his or her life forever.

Call the Cromer Pier box office for bookings and information on 01263 512495.