LIVE auditions take place this week for Burnley and Pendle’s answer to The X Factor.

Star Maker is a brand new singing competition that follows the same format as Simon Cowell’s ITV show.

Hundreds of budding Alexandra Burkes and Matt Cardles have applied for their chance to become stars, and today and tomorrow will battle it out to make the bootcamp round.

Just like The X Factor, there will be different age categories, a boot camp, live shows and a grand final.

Aaron Whitehall-Pain, organiser from LKJ Security, said: “The aim is to find local talent and give them a chance to get noticed.

“I know there are a lot of gifted people out there just waiting to be discovered and I want to find them.

“We are looking for solo artistes or duos, but strictly no professional or semi-professional singers.

“We are also hoping to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, with 50p from every entry and ticket sold being donated.”

Auditions take place between 8am and 8pm at The ACE Centre in Nelson and the prize is up to £1,000 in cash, a recorded album and two festival appearances, including a slot on one of the Roadhouses at this year’s Great British R&B Festival in August.

The three age groups are: 12-18, 18-25 and over-25s.

The judges will be the three members of local band Diva Dynamic, plus a special guest.

A total of 70 artistes will be chosen from the auditions for Bootcamp, which will be held at The ACE Centre next week.

There will be five live shows – every Friday from June 8 until July 6 at The ACE Centre and the live Final will be held at The Muni, Colne, on Friday, July 20.

Live show tickets cost £5 from The Muni Theatre’s Box Office on 01282 661234 or The ACE Centre on 01282 661080.