THERE are just five weeks to go until the glittering final of The Citizen's Big Gig competition and the ten hopefuls are making their final preparations.

The competition, jointly organised by The Citizen, Chorley Borough Council and the South Lancashire Arts Partnership, started last summer with a series of workshops and auditions to hand-pick ten of Chorley's most talented youngsters.

They will compete for the title of Big Gig 2004 champion at the final on February 20 in Chorley Town Hall's Lancastrian Suite.

On the night, the audience will have the chance to vote for their favourite competitor and the four most popular will go through to the second half of the evening to be judged by a panel of local music supremos.

In the run up to the final, we will be profiling two competitors every week to help you make your mind up about who should win the ultimate prize of a session in a professional recording studio.

The first hopeful is Janine Virdi, a jazz singer who attends Parklands High School.

The 15-year-old, from Pilling Close, Chorley, has been involved in jazz and blues since her Lebanese mother Sana played a Frank Sinatra record when she was just a toddler.

Janine has already chosen her songs for the final, Fever from Peggy Lee and Sinatra favourite In The Wee Small Hours of The Morning.

The youngster, who lives with her mum, dad Roger and artist brother Justin, 22, said her friends think her unusual taste in music is 'cool,'

"I'm into different bands than my friends, but I've always liked jazz and blues and want to be a jazz singer after university. I'm nervous for the final but I've already chosen my outfit and I'm confident I'll do my best."

Our youngest finalist, Jessica Wright, from Astley Village, will reach the ripe old age of 12 when the competition gets under way.

Another Parklands High School pupil, she said it would be the best birthday ever if she managed to win.

She will be performing a track by her pop idol Christina Aguilera on the night.

Jessica, who has performed in front of crowds at her local pub,The Barron's Rest, said: "I would love to be a singer or actress, but to be honest I just want to be famous. My friends are always asking me to sing for them and I will do my best for all of them."

Jessica's mum Jayne said her niece, Rock FM traffic reporter Gemma Hodkinson, had a big influence on her future ambitions.

She said: "She sings in a band and Jessica kind of looks up to her."

Tickets for the evening, priced at £5 and £3.50 for concessions, are on sale from the box office at the tourist information office, Market Street. Call 01257 241693 for further information.