FOLLOWING over two hours of auditions where a record 28 hopeful acts performed for judges, the 13 front of curtain acts for this year's Bridgwater Carnival Concerts have been announced.

Nearly half of those selected have not performed as front of curtain acts before, and will take to the stage for the ever-popular concerts between Monday, October 2 and Saturday October 14.

This year's acts are solo vocalists Paige Brunton, Kimberley Price, Catrin Hudson, Jake Godfrey and Nathan Ball, vocal duo Tanya & Gemma, singing group Absolute Pitch, comedienne Anne Philcox, dance groups Heels, Fox King Dance Academy and Viva La Diva Showgirls.

More unusual acts include ventriloquist Kevin Cripwell and flamenco guitarist Devon Salinas.

Malcolm Cattle, president for Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival Committee, said: “Thank you to every single person who auditioned for this year’s carnival concert; with a record number of entries, selecting the final 13 acts was a tough job.

"It is wonderful to see so many new faces this year and for those acts who were unsuccessful I would ask them not to be disheartened, the standards were very high, come back next year and try again.

“Now the final acts have been chosen, I’m looking forward to the concerts even more. I would urge you to get your tickets as soon as you can as they are bound to sell fast.”

Tickets for the carnival concerts are priced from £10.50 and are on sale now from the Carnival Centre in Bridgwater or online at www.bridgwatercarnival.org.uk.

The popular concerts have been an annual feature in Bridgwater since 1883, and are seen as a preview to the eagerly anticipated procession, which this year falls on Saturday, November 4.