We all wannabe pop stars! (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

We all wannabe pop stars!

THE WINNER of Swindon's Superstars competition is out to prove to Pop Idol judge Simon Cowell that he does have what it takes to make it in the pop world.

Dale Bligdon of Faringdon was crowned over 16s champion at the Green-bridge Superstars event on Saturday with Annabelle Meadowcroft scooping the under 16 award.

But Dale hasn't forgotten the day Cowell told him he was lacking that special something when he went along to Pop Idol auditions last year and didn't progress beyond the early stages.

But now the 19-year-old factory worker believes he is one step closer to hitting the big time and exacting his revenge on the notoriously harsh Cowell.

The Greenbridge Super-stars competition, hosted by Channel Four's Big Breakfast presenter Mike McClean, was held in a road-show trailer at the Green-bridge Retail Park.

It aimed to give local singers the chance to showcase their talents and find the town's own pop idol.

More than 50 budding stars took part in the heats on Good Friday and on Saturday the 14 finalists battled it out, giving their finest performances.

Performers were divided into two categories under 16 and over 16.

Under 16 winner Anna-belle Meadowcroft of Drove Road, Swindon, was delighted to take the title.

She sang Leann Rimes's How Do I Live Without You.

The 15-year-old who attends St Joseph's School said: "Today has been amazing. I've taken part in a couple of competitions like this before but have never won them.

"I've wanted to be a singer since I was really young, so hopefully now I will be able to do more and more of this sort of thing."

Dale sang Will Young's Evergreen, the song that won Will the first series of ITV's Pop Idol and became the fastest selling debut single in history.

Dale listed Will Young, Ronan Keating and Westlife as his greatest musical influences so far.

He said: "I've known from an early age that singing is my passion. I'm absolutely chuffed I've won.

"I'll certainly be celebrat-ing tonight."

Both winners will be taken on a shopping spree and will each be given £200 spending money.

They are also looking forward to a free haircut and make over at Toni and Guy; a photo shoot and their own glossy portfolio, and a session at a recording studio where they will record their favourite song.

Flicky Harrison, Evening Advertiser entertainments critic and judge of the event, said: "The standard was very high."