THE search for North Lincolnshire's next Pub Idol is now under way.

The Scunthorpe Telegraph's competition to find a singing star or dynamic duo held its first heat at The Black Beauty, in Bottesford, on Monday.

On a night of several stunning performances, it was Laura Rose Watson, 17, and Lily Winn, 76, both of Scunthorpe, who wowed the judges and secured their passage into the grand final, to be held later in the summer.

A video from the night can be viewed on the Scunthorpe Telegraph's website, www.thisisscun thorpe.co.uk

Lily, who sang songs by Connie Francis and Shirley Bassey, said: "It was wonderful and it was a great feeling.

"I went into it last year and didn't get through – but what an experience.

"I get a bit nervous, obviously, but I am looking forward to the final and I am all right once I am behind the microphone.

"The crowd was smashing, they were very kind to everybody and very sociable."

Pub Idol host, Ian McLane, praised the seven competitors who took part in the opening heat.

He said: "It was an excellent start, with not a spare seat in the room.

"The crowd was very supportive and all of the acts tried really hard.

"The standard was very high and overall, it was a really good first night.

"The winner, by a long way, was Laura Rose Watson and the runner-up was Lily Winn.

"Both did a Connie Francis song and Lily did As I Love You, by Shirley Bassey.

"The standard of contestant was superb on Monday, they were all extremely good.

"The crowd was supportive of every performance and it was nice to see so many returning contestants from previous years as well."

Winner Laura said: "It was all right. I went in it last year and won the first heat. It was really lively and I had fun.

"I did Stupid Cupid and then Not Ready To Make Nice, by the Dixie Chicks."

Laura said she was unsure if those tracks would remain as her choices for the final.

She said: "It is not until September, so I might change my mind."

The Pub Idol event moves on to Campbell's, in Doncaster Road, Scunthorpe, for the second heat, which will take place next Monday.

Another seven contestants will step up to the microphone in a bid to sing themselves into the final for the chance to secure the overall title and a prize of £500.

Mr McLane said Pub Idol was as much for the spectators as the singers.

He said: "It is a good night out for everybody on a Monday.

"It is good entertainment and we have a lot of fun along the way as well."

And he said the event could also be used as a stepping stone for undiscovered acts to progress.

He said: "Last year's winner has gone on to bigger and better things and some of the runners-up have also been in the recording studio, producing CDs for other projects."