GLITZY grannies and groovy grandads gathered at Bolton's Albert Halls in the hope they would be crowed silver star at the town's heat of the National Senior Citizen Talent Contest.

And it was not long before the judges found their champion in Jimmy Mac, aged 66, of Landsdowne Road, Tonge Moor. Now in its 50th year, the Silver Stars Talent Contest is run in association with local authorities and other supportive organisations.

And over the next few months local heats will be hosted all over the country giving golden oldies the chance to compete for a place in an area final.

Glasgow-born Jimmy was one of 12 treading the boards with his sparkling renditions of Cliff Richard's The Only Way Out and Ringo Starr's Sixteen which dazzled the audience.

The judges unanimously agreed that it was his professionalism, stage presence and energy that made him stand out from the crowd. The crooning pensioner has been singing for over 40-years, said: "I was so pleased to win the Bolton heat, I had such a good night. I'm from a musical family -- my dad played the piano -- so it was something I was brought up with."

Jimmy has been compering in local Bolton nightspots for the last 10 years. And, when he's not singing, Jimmy can be found studying hard for his dressmaking exams which he takes next month.

And now he will automatically go through to the North West Area Final at the Floral Hall, Southport on May 29. The winners from each area final will then join their fellow silver superstars and perform in front of a 2000-strong audience at the grand final on July 24 at Southport's Apollo Theatre.

A judging panel will select the most outstanding act who will receive a £1,000 cash prize.

This year's contest is being supported nationally by Age Concern and sponsored by YOURS magazine making the contest bigger than ever.