A LEYLAND singer is on his way to the finals of a national talent competition. Jack Thompson, of Downham Road, entered the Silver Stars Talent Contest, run by YOURS magazine, last week.

Talented Jack, 60, went on to win the South Ribble heat of the contest, and will soon be taking part in the regional final.

His rendition of Matt Monroe's classic Portrait of My Love wooed the civic judges, South Ribble mayor and mayoress Councillor Norman Crossley and his wife Maureen.

Jack said: "It was a good night. I used to sing many many years ago at the public hall in Preston. I finished up compering in the Leyland area.

"The fact is I can still put a tune across, so it seemed a shame not to enter."

Jack was one of 12 entrants in the competition -- now in its 50th year. Over the next few months competitions will be run across the country to find those who will face Jack in the finals.

Jack, a painter and decorator, said: "I've never entered a talent contest before, and I thought I would give it a go, and it was a real surprise when I won. There were one or two others that I felt would have won too."

David Seager, South Ribble Borough council officer, who helped organise the contest at the Marsden Theatre in Leyland, said: "It was a very good night. There were singers, a comedian and all sorts of music from classical to country and western."

Jack goes through to the North West area final at the Floral Hall, Southport, on May 29. The winner there will join fellow silver superstars and perform in front of a 2,000-strong audience at 24the grand final on July 24 at Southport's Apollo Theatre.