ORGANISERS of an annual talent contest have been so overwhelmed by pensioner power they have had to organise extra heats for the tournament.

Interest in Bolton's traditional over-60s talent contest has exploded this year, leaving the town's entertainment bosses having to organise two qualifying events to accommodate numbers.

Instead of only the traditional Albert Halls contest being staged in the town, two heats will have to be held beforehand to whittle down entries.

Now pensioners will have to qualify through the heats to take part in the final.

Phil Smith, spokesman for the Albert Halls said: "We couldn't accommodate all those who wanted to enter this year's Bolton contest in just one event here.

"Interest has just exploded, so we approached Dixon Green Labour Club and Breightmet Labour Club who came to the rescue, offering to run qualifying heats for what will become the Bolton Final here at the Albert Halls at the end of May."

The annual Bolton contest forms part of a national search for the most talented pensioner. The Silver Stars Talent Contest is the country's biggest specifically for the over-60s.

Heats are held throughout the country leading up to a grand national final in which there is £16,000 in prize money up for grabs.

Phil added: "This year a total of 25 contestants will compete for the right to represent Bolton in the latter stages of the competition. This compares to our previous biggest entry of 12.

"We've had to say a polite 'no' to enquiries from as far afield as Knutsford, Barnsley and Sheffield, from people desperate to be 'adopted' by Bolton for this year's competition.

"Now, we just hope to attract as much interest in our audience as we have had shown by our competitors."

Bolton's heats take place on Saturday, May 5, 8pm, at Dixon Green Labour Club, Farnworth, and on Friday, May 11, 8p, at Breightmet Labour Club.

The town's final takes place on Thursday, May 24, 7.30pm, at the Albert Halls. Regional finals take place at Southport on June 6, with the national final in the same venue on July 25.