SOUTH Coast Idol, the biggest music talent contest for bands and solo artists outside of TV's X-Factor, will be holding its first auditions in the next few weeks.

Since her success with South Coast Idol 2006, last year's winner Amy Briant from Chichester, West Sussex has supported Girls Aloud, Chico and Journey South and most recently completed a UK tour with Jane McDonald.

Singer songwriter Billy Phillips, pictured, who took part in the Southampton auditions at The Square, was the runner-up.

Notable judges this year include winner of four prestigious Ivor Novello awards Mark Hill producer and writer of Craig David's Born To Do It; multi platinum selling artist Lee from Steps and dance choreographer Tim Noble, who has worked with Kylie Minogue.

This year sees the competition open to under-17s for the first time in some regions. So young people from 11 up to 17 can also enter as a band or solo singer. As well, as this the competition has opened up the 17 and over category to all ages above 17.

The competition is also open for the first time this year to bands and groups as well as singer/songwriters and solo artists, who can perform along with musicians or backing tracks.

2007 also has categories of best individual female, male and group winners, with the overall adult winner of SCI 2007 competition getting a management contract with Future Music to help them develop as an act with an initial advance of £20,000 invested in them.

The under-17s winner will work with Mark Hill (Craig David's producer) and record an album.

All winners will have the opportunity to do more than 50 gigs across the south.

A total of 5,000 people registered for South Coast Idol in 2006. By opening it up for the first time to more regions, and more categories, the target is for South Coast Idol to have 12,000 entrants.

Auditions start in Portsmouth on January 27 and take place in Southampton on February 18.

For more details visit www.southcoastidol.co.uk.