Young performers from Topsham have been showing off their talents on stage at the Youth Factor talent show.

Young performers from Topsham have been showing off their talents on stage at the Youth Factor talent show.

The competition was organised by Topsham community police for local youngsters under the age of 17, and was free to enter.

Following auditions in Topsham and Countess Wear, the final was held at Matthews Hall on April 9 and saw 20 acts battle it out for the title in front of an audience of more than 100 people.

Each act had three minutes to perform in front of the panel of judges.

The overall winner was Keeley Cummings, aged 13, who sang Concrete Angel by Martina McBride.

Second place went to beat-boxer Jack Shimel, 15, and third place went to Katrina Eastley, aged nine, who signed and sang Proud by Heather Small.

All finalists received a certificate for taking part with each of the winners receiving a trophy and family cinema tickets.

Topsham PCSO Rich Shelton, who was on the judging panel, said: “It was very refreshing and equally rewarding to see the effort, enthusiasm and talent shown by all the youngsters.” Former Topsham PCSO and event organiser Percy Giles said: “We organised this event because we believe young people have a lot to offer, they just lack the opportunities.

“The standard was very high this year. I think word got around a bit more and it got a bit more serious.”

Having been held for the last two years, the Youth Factor is now becoming an annual event, and PCSO Giles says next year’s competition may be even bigger.

He said: “We gained a bit more confidence second time around, so next year we may open it up a little bit more again, although we’ll be careful we don’t get too big and risk excluding local children.”