JUDGES in a town centre singing competition are finding it difficult to pick their favourite performer.

After the third week of live heats of Sing, Bolton Sing, held in Market Place, spectators have seen many talented acts.

Market Place has teamed up with The Bolton News and Bolton FM to host the competition in search of the town’s best voice.

And there is a whopping £10,000 prize up for grabs for the winner and £3,000 and £1,000 for two runners up.

Plenty more acts took to the stage this weekend and impressed the judges again.

Alex Gilston, who presents the Entertainment Fix show on Bolton FM, said: “It is going to get harder and harder as the competition goes on to pick a winner.

“Competitions like this are integral to the town and it brings people back to the town centre and creates an incredible atmosphere.

“The Vaults opening has been brilliant but now this is just the cherry on top of the cake.”

Thomas Campbell, another Bolton FM presenter, added: “Yes, it’s great for Bolton and important for tourism in the area.

“The town went through a bit of a bad spell, I think most people acknowledge that, but Bolton really is a great place to be now.”

Christina Cunningham, current and first-ever Miss Farnworth and Kearsley, said: “It has been an incredible event so far, we have seen so many different varieties of songs, from upbeat ones to slower, more emotional ones, it’s been great.”

Peter Green, aged 35, from Little Hulton, has impressed talent show judges before, making through the initial stages on X Factor and hoping to make it on The Voice in future.

Mr Green, who performed two songs – ‘Dancing on My Own’ by Calum Scott and Bill Withers’ ‘Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone’ – said he enjoyed the experience.

“It felt really good to be up on the stage, I love performing so I do it any chance that I get,” he said.

“It was actually my sister who saw the advert for the competition on Facebook and sent me the link to it.

“As soon as I saw it I thought I’ve got to have a go at that.”

Cathy Savage, marketing and events manager at Market Place, and one of the judges, said the bar has been set very high by several acts so far.

“I can’t actually believe how many people in Bolton can sing so well,” she said.

Kevin Martin and Rebecca Moran came from Stockport to go shopping at Market Place, but stayed to watch the performances.

Rebecca, aged 25, said: “It’s been really good, we’ve seen a bit of opera and heard some Michael Buble.

“It’s good to have things like this in Bolton.”

Kevin added: “It makes a good change when you come and visit somewhere like this.”

Heats are being held live in the centre every Saturday April 8, and two acts from each heat will be put forward for the final on April 22.

To book your 20-minute slot in the audition heats, just email your name, age, address, mobile number, a list of Saturday dates you are available and a photo of yourself to cathy@marketplacebolton.co.uk, who will respond with the time and date of your audition.

Come prepared with a choice of two songs and either bring your own instruments or music with you on your mobile on the day, it can be plugged into the sound system.