YOUNGSTERS showed they have got what it takes to be stars in the final of a talent competition in Westbury.

The over 16s winner of the Starry Eyes Performance Foundation's Christmas Bonanza was Lauren Medway, 23, from Westbury, who had won the first heat in November.

The under 16s winner was Annie Bell, 14, also from Westbury and a pupil at Matravers School.

The David McCance Memorial

Special Achievement Award went to his daughter, Ella Oram-McCance.

Ella's father, the founder and president of Imperial Charity Westbury and an Ambassador for Starry Eyes Performance Foundation Trowbridge, died at The Wingfield Care Home in Memory Lane, Trowbridge, on December 17 after a long battle against cancer.

The Christmas Bonanza final was staged at The Players Club in Westbury on Saturday evening (December 21).

Sally Boyle, of Starry Eyes, the talent show organiser, said: "Despite Ella not being in the winning top three she still carried on dancing and performing with so much dedication and commitment.

"She produced some fantastic dramatic performances of Musical Theatre throughout the competition and even last night produced some of her best performances even though she was extremely sad an upset over the passing of her father last Monday."Alison Maguire thought she deserved a trophy to celebrate her achievement, so she ran it past the committee and other members who all agreed it was a great idea.

"Alison stayed up late working into the night to make this special award ready for Saturday.

"Ella was absolutely thrilled and cried tears of joy and sadness at the same time.

"She said that even though it was so lovely she just wished she could have her dad back.Most of us all shed a tear with her. It was a very moving moment.

"Everyone thought it was such a great idea that we will be making it a regular award from Starry Eyes.

All the awards were hand made by Alison Maguire who runs TK2 Creations from a unit in Frome Road, Trowbridge, and the winners were delighted with them, more so it seemed than the cash prizes.

Each winner won £100, with second place getting £75 and third place £50.

Second place in the over 16s was Mark Borra, with Markland Greene finishing third.

Second place in the under 16s was Mini Spice, with dancer Lucie-May Brown in third place.

The judges were Mick Mansell, David Povey and John Baker.