BOLTON will be taking part in the regional finals of the Whitbread National Senior Citizens Talent Contest at the double!

For the town's qualifying heat at the Albert Halls yesterday was won by a vocalists Alice Farrington and Alan Atkinson, who sing together for charity.

Alice is from Longworth Road, Horwich, and Alan, who has studied under Helen Francis of Bolton, is from Wigan.

Their singing of Perhaps Love and Wanting You was chosen as the best performance among the 13 the judges heard. Alice and Alan also competed as individuals in the heat.

Comedienne Janet Moss of Aintree Road, Little Lever, was in second place and singer Billy Barnes of Hulton Lane, Little Hulton, was was placed third.

Each winner received a crystal bowl from Crompton Place, Bolton, the sponsors of the heat.

The judges were: the Deputy Mayor Cllr Tom Anderton, Mr Arnold Wilcox-Wood of Crompton Place, Sue Nixon, Deputy Director of Leisure Services and Doreen Crowther of the Bolton Evening News. Compere Gerry Graham commented on the high standard of the entrants which included 89-year-old Phyllis Barton. The official accompanist was Tony Spragg.

Alice and Alan go forward to the Northern Great Britain Regional Final of the competition at The Dome, Morecambe on June 12.

The contest culminates with the winners from each of the seven regional finals competing in the National Final in Southport on July 24.

The Northern Great Britain Regional Final and the National Final are sponsored by Whitbread who present cash prizes and a trophy to the first three winners.

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