BIG is best according to Layton Institute as comedy duo Larger Than Life swept the board at Friday's Star Search talent final (June 9).

The comic couple from Macclesfield scooped the top prize of £1,000 after winning over a panel of local judges with their loud brand of music and mirth which included a skit of Danny and Sandy from Grease reminiscent of Hilda Baker and Arthur Mullard.

Taking second prize of £500 was Southport vocalist Val Roberts who wowed a packed room by belting out popular numbers Lady In Red, One Moment In Time and Elton John's Circle Of Life.

And Blackpool songbird Jodie Moore took third place and snapped up a cheque for £200 after charming the committee with Shirley Bassey's My Life and Streisand's Don't Rain On My Parade.

Jodie, 21, a nail technician, said: "I honestly couldn't believe I'd won a prize. The talent on the night was so amazing I said to my mum half way through the night, 'I'm just going to go home I think'. And then when they said my name, I thought 'crikey'. "I'm going to take my 13-year-old brother to see The Lion King in the West End with my winnings or maybe my mum and dad out for a meal -- they've been so supportive."

But there could be only three winners and sadly the sparkling talent of young singers Mike Carter, 15, and Matt Baker, 16, from Somerset failed to impress some of the more traditional fans, but were a big hit with entertainments manager of the Norbreck Castle hotel Warren Tolly, local showbiz agent Duggie Chapman and the Citizen's news editor Sarah Sharp.

Host and compere Jack Diamond who organised the event said: "It was a fabulous night and one we'd really been looking forward to after 17 heats.

"We had so many applications I couldn't believe it and the whole event has been so popular we have decided to kick it all off again on July 7 and call it Jack Diamond's Discoveries!"

Interested would-be stars can call Jack Diamond on (01253) 401466.

Pictured: The finalists of Layton Institute's Star Search competition