THEY had stars in their eyes as they stepped onto a stage at Fareham.

It was like a scene out of TV's X Factor as 26 Girl Guides from Hampshire East County sang their hearts out for the ultimate prize - to sing live at the Big Gig concert in Sheffield in October, appearing alongside some of the UK's top acts.

Girlguiding UK has launched the Guiding Star competition to find the most talented singers in the country.

More than 20,000 girls, aged between 11 and 25, are being judged by music experts from across the nation.

Fareham's Henry Cort School hosted four girl bands and a string of solo singers competed for a place in the south west region at Basingstoke on April 14. The next step is the national finals in June with a chance of clinching a place at the Big Gig.

Details of the celebrity line-up up have yet to be announced.

Barbara Grayson, arts adviser for Hampshire East County, said: "There is some real talent in the county. I think they have certainly got what it takes to make it to the final.

"They have been hugely inspired by Pop Idol and X Factor and by attending last year's Big Gig."