VANISHING wine bottles, comedy and samba dancing were all on the agenda during an incredible set of auditions for an annual talent show.

Lakes Got Talent 2017 kicked into high gear on Saturday when 32 shortlisted acts travelled to Ulverston’s Coronation Hall for a full day of all-singing, all-dancing, magical, musical and comedic fun. Now in its fifth year, the event is bringing in acts from all over Cumbria, including Barrow, Dalton, Lindal and Ulverston as well as Millom and Bootle.

Show organiser James Farrow said: "It was incredible to hear every response to 'Where are you from?'. It really highlighted how incredibly big we've gotten this year.

"From Carlisle, Penrith and Cockermouth to Whitehaven, Morecambe and Keswick, the list goes on. To me, that has always been my goal."

The day’s auditions included a host of singers and dancers as well as a saxophonist, two magicians and a stand-up comic. Josh Read, from Barrow, chose to see the funny side of others’ comments on his red hair while also sending up President Trump during his performance.

The wide array of talent meant a tough decision for the judging panel. Ulverston stalwart and event sponsor, Ralph Spours, Evening Mail reporter, Emma Preston and Barrow musical theatre performers Jill Lyon and Chris Barker were given just 20 minutes to come to an agreement on their 12 finalists.

Magician Richie Cottam made the final after auditioning for his second year running. The 43-year-old, of Pottery Street, Barrow left the judges baffled after managing to make a bottle of wine vanish before producing a full glass with the help of just a brown bag and sleight of hand.

Mr Cottam, who has previously auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent , said: “The standard’s been really high and, especially because there was another magician in there, I’m really honoured and excited to get through.”

Euphoria, a Barrow and Ulverston dance duo, also put on a stunning performance. But competition was tough and the girls were among many encouraged to return another year to try for the finals again. The judges also had to make the tough decision not to send through talented Barrow singers, Charlotte Jackson, Chloe Flores and Scott Paisley. Ulverston’s Phoebe Greaves only narrowly missed out after giving a confident and powerful musical theatre performance.

Determined to take the show to a new level every year, organisers opened the audition doors to the public as well as having the judges announce their finalists in person for the first time. Each judge also selected one wildcard who they wanted to see in with a chance of making it to the final at the Coro on March 18.

The wildcards each have their audition videos posted on the Lakes Got Talent Facebook page, and the two acts which get the most “likes” by Monday January 30 will compete in the final. Furness band Among Giants, a group of five teenagers from Barrow, Dalton, Lindal and Ulverston, were selected by judge Chris Barker as his choice.

On securing their place in the contest, band member, Lois Miles said: “We just feel really lucky – we didn’t think we were going to get through. It’s actually better now – we have to work for it a bit more, which is quite nice.

“We have quite a lot of followers and we do a lot of gigs, so hopefully people will remember us.”

The feel-good factor was in full effect, as all of the acts stayed on to support each other and cheer those who made it through to the final. The new staging gave the event a real touch of glitz and glamour, with the judges arriving back at the Coronation Hall to screaming crowds after their top-secret deliberations, and the show's organisers have promised a bigger and better spectacle than ever before for those who buy tickets for the final.

The event's chosen charity for 2017 is Jo’s Appeal, set up in memory of beloved Barrow-born Evening Mail journalist, Jo-anne Davies. The fund supports not just one but three worthy causes - the Furness General Hospital oncology unit, Ulverston’s St Mary’s Hospice and the Eve Appeal women’s cancer charity.

Meet the Finalists:

Committed 2 Rock (choir), Whitehaven, Keswick and Penrith.

Faye Bowness (singer), Milnthorpe.

Gabrielle Dams (singer/stage performer), Morecambe.

Jack Hayes (singer/guitarist), Barrow.

Leanne Story (singer), Carlisle.

Maria Frances Dance (dance group), Cumbria-wide and Cockermouth-based.

Pearl and the Piano (singer and pianist duo), Barrow.

Richie Cottam (magician), Barrow.

Sasha Johnson (dancer), Kendal.

Toby Walker (dancer), Penrith.

Tokari School of Theatre Arts (dance group), Kendal.

Zigg Zagg (band), Penrith.

And the wildcards…

Among Giants (band), Barrow, Dalton, Lindal and Ulverston.

Chloe Pinney (singer/guitarist), Bootle.

Jack Moore (saxophonist), Cockermouth

KD School of Dance (dance group), Millom.

Visit www.facebook.com/lakesgottalent to “like” and vote for your favourite wildcard act.