A COMPETITION for wannabe popstars in Clitheroe was a virtual sell-out within days of being featured in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

Youngsters in Ribble Valley were offered the chance to take part in a seven-week competition with a Pop Idol theme.

Popskool is the brainchild of Tony Rodia, manager of Roefield Leisure Centre in

Clitheroe, and Steven Lancaster, of the Ribble Valley education initiative, Gold.

The mini-Fame Academy is offering up to 45 youngsters training in dance, vocals and stage performance, from Bristol girl-group Eclipse. At the end of Week Four, participants will be grouped into girl and boy bands in preparation for a grand final at Roefield Leisure Centre before a celebrity judging panel.

All participants will get the chance to take part in a recording session in the studios at Turret House, the home of Ultraframe magnate John Lancaster, who is Steven's dad.

The grand finale will be filmed and the overall winners will return to Turret House for a recording session with full stage lights, sets and costumes.

Roefield Leisure Centre was inundated with inquiries from enthusiastic youngsters within hours of Popskool being featured by the Lancashire Evening Telegraph. And now there are only a few places left on the special course, which starts next Thursday.

Popskool aims to promote personal development, team work and self-discipline, but unlike Pop Idol there will be no "mean" judges and no-one will be rejected.

The project is open to Ribble Valley youngsters between the ages of seven and 11, and if successful a further Popskool will be held later in the year for youngsters aged 11 and over.

It will be held on Thursdays from 4 to 5.30pm until April 24, followed by the grand finale on Saturday, April 26.

The cost is £25 per child and further details are available from Tony Rodia at Roefield Leisure Centre on 01200 442188.