SCORES of youngsters from across the county are to battle it out this weekend as the competition to find the region's Dance Idol 2004 gets under way.

Following the success of last year's event, the Daily Echo has again teamed up with Southampton City Council to launch Dance Idol 2004.

As many as 243 children will put on their dancing shoes to take part in three heats at leisure centres in Southamp-ton on Sunday.

The heats will take place from 10.30am until 5.30pm at Bitterne Leisure Centre, Chamberlayne Leisure Centre in Woolston and St Mary's Leisure Centre in the city centre. There will be three categories, for ages five to eight, nine to 12, and 13 to 16.

Everyone performs in the morning and those chosen to go through to the second heat will return in the afternoon. From the afternoon performers, a total of 12 per age group will go through to the final on Sunday, October 31, at St Mary's Leisure Centre.

Prizes up for grabs include professional dance lessons at the Jane Mackinnon Dance School in Rownhams, shopping vouchers and a silver trophy.

Last year's champion was 12-year-old Amber David, of Orchard Lane in Southamp-ton.

A colour, eight-page picture supplement from the heats will be included in the Daily Echo on Wednesday, October 20.