BOLTON musicians are set to star at the Castlefield Carnival in Manchester tomorrow.

Two young bands, Y2K and La-Caj, and 18-year-old singer Jamie Harrison have entered the Young Performer of the Year competition at the annual six-hour event.

And they are hoping the judges will sing their praises as they aim for the top slot.

Events director Billie Klinger, who ran the auditions, said: "Hundreds of youngsters took part in the original auditions and picking the final 26 contestants was very hard - we have seen a great deal of talent."

Millennium boppers, Y2K, will be playing songs by American rock singer Alanis Morrisette.

Vocalist Vicky Jones, aged 15 from Thornleigh High School, her guitarist brother Danny, 13, also from Thornleigh, and Chris Howard, the 13-year-old keyboard player, from Bolton School formed the band 18 months ago.

Beatles

And as well as writing their own material, the youngsters, who will perform in the under-15 category of the competition, have played a range of gigs, supporting the Backbeat Beatles at the famous Cavern Club in Liverpool and singing live to children's television presenters Ant and Dec on Granada's This Morning.

They also won Challenge TV's Showstoppers talent show on satellite and cable television. Alan Jones, the father of two of the band members, said: "They've been very successful so far. They won Search for a Star at Monaco Ballroom in Hindley and they're eager to go professional."

Fellow pop singers, La-Caj, will perform two Abba songs during a five minute cabaret tribute, singing Waterloo and Super Trooper.

The bubbly trio of Cassie Butterworth, 13, her sister, Abby, 10, and Jane Shakeshaft, 12, all from Harwood, took the first letters of their names to form the name of the band.

They too will appear in the under-15s category. Tracy Ross, their 32-year-old choreographer and manager, said: "They have been performing since they were little and they are really looking forward to Sunday."

The girls have appeared at Pontins in Southport as well as local labour clubs. They also took part in the Kids Fest at G-Mex in July.

Entertainer

The event is expected to attract more than 25,000 people and it has been billed as Manchester's largest outdoor event.

Former child actor Jamie Harrison from Farnworth is hoping his appearance at the show will be the catalyst for a long career as an entertainer.

The 18-year-old has already been a star of Children's ITV favourite The Ward and he will be doing his best impersonation of Boyzone lead singer Ronan Keating as he belts out the hit Picture of You - used in the Mr Bean movie.

Mr Harrison, is currently work for Asda but he said: "I would love to work at Butlins or Pontins as a child entertainer."

The Great Universal Young Performer of the Year competition is one of the major attractions of the annual carnival.

There will also be colourful Ukrainian dancers, circus acts, a children's safe-play area, inflatable sculptures and many freebies.

The performers will play on the Dukes 92 stage during a show which begins at noon and ends at 6pm.

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