Peter WalshMore than 70 acts applied but just 32 have survived as the quest to prove that Norfolk is bursting with talent prepares to enter its final stages.Peter Walsh

More than 70 acts applied but just 32 have survived as the quest to prove that the county is bursting with talent prepares to enter its final stages.

The very first Norfolk's Got Talent competition was launched back in March with the aim of unearthing the very best of home-grown talent, giving them the chance to shine on the stage.

The competition, which is being backed by the Evening News, received scores of entries ranging from singers to dance acts, and comedians to magicians, but in the end just 32 made the final cut.

Those acts, which we can reveal today, will go forward to a series of heats to be held at The Talk in Norwich next month where they will go head to head for the right to win a place in the through to the final in July - and a chance of the �500 first prize.

Joe Ringer, who runs Norwich-based events and performance company Mixed Voice with Josh Lincoln and Rick Greer, has helped organise the contest and was responsible for whittling down the acts with Mr Lincoln and Mr Greer.

Mr Ringer, who is also one of the judges in the competition, said he was impressed by the 'very high standard' of entries to the competition.

He said: 'We went through the singers first, about half the applicants were singers, and we said yes to a lot more than we thought we would and had to cut them down.

'There was a really high standard and a lot of variety. To be honest most of the 32 on paper look like they could win - there's no clear leader. A lot of it will come down to the night. We've seen the videos, but a lot will come down to the live performance and how they perform - you've really got to perform on the night and show you've got that special something.'

Mr Ringer urged members of the public to get behind the competition and come to see for themselves what Norfolk has to offer by booking a place at the heats which take place in the 450-seater Oak Street venue next month.

The audience plays a key part in shows like Britain's Got Talent, the popular ITV1 show which is currently airing the best, and the worst, of what the country has to offer, and Mr Ringer hoped they could create a similar atmosphere here in Norwich.

Maths student Hadyn Wiseman, 20, and his friend, Jackson Franklyn, 18, complete the line up in one of the acts which have made it through to the last 32.

Other acts to have made it through include Back Street Energy, a hip hop dancing act, Steve Medler, a comedy magician, Hung Sing Lions, a Chinese lion dancing act, and Lucy and brother Joe, a ventriloquist act.

The heats will be held on June 9, 16, 23, and 30 with the best two from each round going through to the final on Sunday, July 4.

For audience tickets for the heats costing �4 or the final priced �8 call the box office on 01603 660220.

Have your talents won you national acclaim Call reporter Peter Walsh on 01603 772436 or email peterwalsharchantcouk

The final 32

The Two Uke's (music); Jade Grand (singer); Tanya (singer); Dynamo (music artist); Destiny (singing duo); Steve Medler (comedy magician); Craig Catchpole (singer); Catrina Rogers (singer); Steve Earle (singer); Jackson and Haydn (martial arts acrobats); Aduros (music/singing duo); Back Street Energy (hip hop dancing); Strictly Come Prancing (comedy dance); Katacoustics (singer and guitar); Danny Coucill (singing); Thomas Piggot (singing); Thomas Daynes (singing); Courtney Keyes (tap dancing); Red Secret (band); TAS (band); Matthew Fulton (stand up); Trackz (rap, hip hop); Stan De Lone (performance poet); Rowan Perrow (singer); Maryam (flute solo); Chermond (acrobatic dance); Hung Sing Lions (Chinese Lion Dancing); Gem (singer); Pole Fit (pole dancing); Lucy and brother Joe (ventriloquist); Madness (dancing); Ozzita Gorman (singer).