THE first heat of a massive national search for a singing star begins in Southampton next week.

Jumpin Jaks' This Is Your Moment competition will start on Wednesday, March 2, and more than 3,000 amateur performers are expected to compete nationwide in a bid to become the UK champion.

Five heats will take place locally before a local final will decide who represents this area in the regional and national stages.

The overall winner will receive £2,000 in cash, the chance to cut a CD with a professional studio, vocal coaching from an industry expert and a tour of Luminar Leisure venues.

Shaun Spencer-Perkins, manager of Jumpin' Jaks, said: "We expect singers to bring along lots of family and friends which should make for a really good atmosphere inside Jaks.

"But there are still one or two places left available."

Further heats will take place on March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, with the local final on April 6. Click on www.thisisyourmoment.com