IT may have lacked the audience of millions who enjoyed its TV equivalent.

But the tension was just as great as 13 young acts waited to hear whether they had won Hampshire's mini Pop Idol competition.

The competition, called Sam and Buster's Search for a Star, drew several hundred hopefuls to auditions earlier this year, each hoping to become the next Will Young.

The crown was finally handed to Shannon Evans, 11, of Lordswood, Southampton, after a high-quality musical battle.

Anna Parsons, ten, of Locks Heath, and Emma Barney, ten, of Fair Oak, were judged runner-up and third place respectively.

Entrants were asked to choose their favourite pop star or band and were then judged on how closely they looked and sang like their idols.

The event was co-hosted by Southampton-based charity Leukaemia Busters and children's activity centre Serendipity Sam's of Romsey.

In the end, 13 acts were chosen to go through to the finals, which were held in Romsey's Crosfield Hall.

The panel of judges was composed of Sally Stemp from Leukaemia Busters, Martin Perry from AND Magazine, DJ Ray Serendipity and, of course, group mascot Serendipity Sam himself. They also had some much-needed help from Marwell Zoo's Morris the zoo keeper and Super Saint, the Saint's mascot.

The evening's compere and Serendipity Sam's owner, Paul Taylor, said: "It was a hugely successful evening, and all the children sang and danced their hearts out.

"They all looked fantastic, and as always it's just a pity that one has to be picked a winner over the others.

"Everyone here at Serendipity's wishes them all the best for the future, especially if they go on to become big stars in their own right."

An audience of more than 100 was there to encourage their favourites on, and in the end the event managed to raise more than £700 for Leukaemia Busters.

Other finalists were soloists Hayley Price, 11, of Bursledon, Stephanie Pearson, nine, of King's Somborne, Jack White, nine, of Maybush, Charlotte Lockheart, nine, of Sholing, Georgia Soffe, nine, of Hedge End, Hayley Snow, ten, of Chilworth, Coral Finch, nine, of Sholing, and Beth Morrison, nine, of Kings Somborne.

Jessica Gray, nine, of Whiteparish performed with Sophia Neofytou, 11, of Chandler's Ford, while 11-year-olds Sarah Baker, Emily Rayner and Katie Osbourne, all from Dibden Purlieu, performed as a group.