SOME of East Lancashire's most glamorous grannies and grandads in gladrags were today battling it out in the North West final of the Whitbread Senior Citizens' Talent Show.

Ageing singers will join crinkly comics and even an 86-year-old Teletubby on stage at the grand Dome Theatre, Morecambe, in a bid for a place at the national final in Southport next month.

And among the finalists are Blackburn singer Ray Scholey, vocalist Eileen Foster from Nelson, and Eileen Nuttall, also a vocalist, from Accrington, who beat off stiff competition to triumph in local heats earlier this year.

Coachloads of well-wishers, friends and fans are expected to pack the theatre to see the winner lift the North West crown and receive £175 worth of prizes as well as the chance to represent the region in the national final on July 21.

The competition, Britain's biggest talent show for OAPs, has been supported by Whitbread Leisure for more than 20 years. Whitbread's regional affairs director in the North West Peter Watkins said: "Why shouldn't the over 60s enjoy their moment of fame?

"And the one thing we can say for sure is that audiences up and down the country thoroughly enjoy all the performances, culminating in a tremendous atmosphere at the final."

Also in the final are winners from Toxteth, Preston, Wrexham, Bolton and Southport with Morecambe's own Grace Downham expected to provide a few laughs as a Teletubby.

Mr Watkins went on: "We aim to ensure that people of all ages make the most of their leisure time and we certainly don't underestimate the ability of senior citizens to enjoy themselves in style."

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