SIMON Cowell eat your heart out – anything you can do, East Budleigh can do better.

SIMON Cowell eat your heart out - anything you can do, East Budleigh can do better.

The village is preparing to stage its own version of the Britain's Got Talent - called Budleigh's Got Talent - in a bid to raise much-needed funds for the Children's Hospice South West.

The top prize of a session at a local recording studio, or �50 prize, will go to the most talented performer.

Grandmother Kim Holmes, 51, of Middle Street, is organising the event as part of Budleigh Salterton's Gala Week, in May.

Hopefuls, aged 17 and over, performing at the final show will first have gone through auditions, which will be held in April.

Mrs Holmes said: "We are going to encourage the audience to cheer or boo.

"I would like people to come out saying 'that was brilliant'."

Before the show can go on, the organisers are appealing for help to borrow sound equipment, including microphones.

The show committee has been hard at work since last year raising funds to stage the show so as the Children's Hospice South West reaps greater benefit.

In December 2009, Kim turned scarecrows in her garden into Victorian figures and collected cash from passers-by to pay for the Public Hall to stage the final event.

On March 20, the organisers are holding bingo in Budleigh's Public Hall, eyes down 7.30pm, to raise funds to book a hall for auditions.

Because the show is for charity, the committee has been given permission from the makers of the TV programme to use its music and format.

Entry to the show is �5 a ticket.

For more information, or to lend equipment, contact Kim Holmes on (01395) 446525.