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Paul Burkett entertains the judges

Singers, dancers and magicians stepped up to the mark to prove that TV's Simon Cowell should be sending his talent scouts to Abingdon.o About 30 performers belted out songs and entertained the watching crowd with dance moves or music at the first Abingdon's Got Talent show, on a stage in the Market Place, on Saturday29/06.

Judges were delighted by the performances and support from the crowd and sent 13 acts through to the next month's final.

Acts ranged from belly-dancing to child singers, harpists and girls with hoola-hoops.

IT professional Paul Burkett, 33, made the final with his rendition of the Scissor Sisters' Take Your Mama.

He said: "I love singing and sing any chance I get. I've got friends and family telling me I'm good but they're biased. But I was really nervous, because I was the first one up.

"I would like to win. There's no point doing things if you don't think you have a chance of winning. It's a great experience and nice to be able to sing in public."

Event organiser Marianne Milburn said: "They were all very brave to stand there on the stage in Abingdon Market Place and performed incredibly well."

Scorer and town councillor Lorraine Oates said: "When they filmed Britain's Got Talent they should have come to Abingdon, because they've missed a few people.

"Everybody was cheering and clapping. It was a brilliant day."

The judging panel included deputy mayor Pat Hobby, Peter Mayhew-Archer, the co-writer of TV comedy The Vicar of Dibley, Judy Gray, head of performing arts at Abingdon College, and Eileen Bagshaw, of Abingdon Drama Club.

There were three categories for children under 10, youngsters aged 10 to 17 and adults.

Talent show reject John Humphries, who has tried out five times for TV show X-Factor, failed to make the grade with his rendition of Eye of the Tiger.

Nursery assistant Gemma Harris, 28, performed Wishing on a Star, by Rose Royce, but did not make the cut.

She said: "I really enjoyed myself. I do a lot of singing. I thought I would give it a go and if I didn't get through, then at least I tried.

"It was a bit nervous waiting to find if I went through. When they said 'no' I just thought 'oh well, never mind'."

The final is in the Market Place on Saturday, July 26, between 11am and 1pm.

3:38pm Monday 30th June 2008

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