Youngsters will get the chance to shine when a hit TV talent show comes to Bradford.

A stage version of ITV's Stars In Their Eyes is on the look-out for children aged between eight and 16 to audition for the show which begins its national tour at St George's Hall, Bradford, on Friday, March 14.

The show, which will be hosted by Bradley Walsh, will spotlight the talents of local youngsters. Up to five children will impersonate their favourite rock and pop idols live on stage in front of an audience with special voting keypads.

The most popular young performer on the night will be invited to take part in the final round of auditions for the television programme. Funnyman Bradley Walsh said he was delighted to give the next generation of entertainers a helping hand.

He said: "It's going to be an evening of great fun and great music. Kids Stars In Their Eyes has been an enormous success on television, and the live tour is delighted to continue that by including a special kids' section.

"The winner of each live theatre show will be guaranteed a place in the auditions with ITV, and therefore have the wonderful chance to appear in the television show as well as receive a prize on the night."

A spokesman for the show added: "We know there are an awful lot of talented kids out there.

"When we do the TV show we get around 100,000 audition tapes sent in and we can only see a small proportion of them. The winners from the touring show will get to join the best 75 kids who are picked to audition for TV. This is the first time we've done this, and Bradford is the first show. We're expecting at least a hundred children to turn up."

Lucky youngsters picked at auditions, due to be held at St George's Hall on Wednesday, February 19, will be rubbing shoulders with six contestants who have already appeared on Stars In Their Eyes - which until recently was hosted by presenter Matthew Kelly.

Anyone who would like to take part in the show is asked to fill in an application form which can be picked up at St George's Hall, the Alhambra theatre or printed off from the show's website at www.starsintheireyeslive.co.uk