IN HER role as Lady Mayoress of Bradford Elizabeth Sharp was quick to identify the rich seam of talent she saw among children during visits to Bradford schools.

Her determination to capture that ability resulted in the creation of her Festival of Talent contest for youngsters across the city to showcase their talents and that reached a climax with last night's finale performance at Bradford College.

Two categories were whittled down to finalists in a series of earlier contests and last night four entrants won through to take the top prizes.

Runners' up silver for the primary school section went Taai Barratt, from Thornton Primary School who performed an unaccompanied rendition of a Michael Jackson song, with Isatou Jawo, from Southfield Grange campus taking the secondary silver award for her singing.

Winners were a dance act from Lady Lane Park Primary School for the primary section and Eesa Amin from Carlton Bolling College for the secondary section.

Overall winners will each get the chance to shine at Bradford's Schools Proms at St George's Hall later this month.

In addition they have also earned the opportunity to perform a civic event on behalf of the Lord Mayor and also to attend an afternoon tea, being hosted by Mrs Sharp, with their families at City Hall.

The event was the "dream" of Mrs Sharp but it is now hoped it will become an annual event which will grow in size as the years pass.

Mrs Sharp told the contestants, who have spent months practicing a range of acts including song, dance, impersonations and stand-up comedy for the show: "When I had this dream, which you have all made come true so a thousand thanks for that, I wanted to promise an evening of showbiz and sparkle and you have given exactly that.

"Today has been about performance and celebrating that performance. I think you have done an amazing job. The judges have an unenviable task.

"What they have decided doesn't really matter, you are all stars tonight. You all look like stars, you have all performed like stars and I am proud of you all."

She also went on to thank the teachers and parents who have supported the efforts of those who took part.

They were tasked to create their own performances with the stipulation that they had to be student-led, without teachers contributing any creative input.

The show last night took part at the Henry Mitchell Theatre at Bradford College.