Stage set for semi final of Burnley's Got Talent as fundraising edges closer to £10,000 target

The final 20 acts, who were announced live after voting closed on Tuesday evening, will be battling it out for a place in the final of the celebrity backed competition that is just £2,770 away from raising a staggering £10,000 for the NHS.

Launched three weeks ago by friends Shelly Heap, who is the bar manager at Lowerhouse Cricket Club and Royal Dyche landlady Justine Lorriman, the duo wanted to bring some fun to the town's residents in lockdown and also raise cash for the East Lancashire Health Trust.

Video messages asking people to support the contest and donate to the fund for the East Lancashire Health Trust have been sent from a host of stars including Burnley's cricketing legend James Anderson, Burnley player Nick Pope and Alastair Campbell, a well known Clarets fan and former press secretary to Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair.

All done through the medium of facebook, the response to the competition was overwhelming with 64 acts competing originally to win the most 'likes.'

The quarter finals took place last Saturday and the semi finals will be held this Saturday with the final acts vying for a place in the top five and a chance to win a £200 cash prize, donated by organisers, and the chance to perform at Burnley Live next year.

The facebook group Burnley's Got Talent now has 12,600 members but anyone is welcome to watch the acts and vote for them. They are also asked to make a donation at the same time to secure the competition's place at the top of the leader board for fundraising for the ELHT across the county.

Several companies have got on board with sponsorship for the competition and local well known DJ Kev Riley has held twice weekly live sets in the run up to each stage to entertain people and create a real party atmosphere.

To celebrate VE Day today Burnley's Got Talent is presenting a special VE Day Online concert with Andy Brown as Elvis topping the bill supported by a host of artistes including George Banks, Gavin Young, Ella Coleman, Phil Johari, Tom Scothern, Steven Walton, Zackoustic and Maddison Goode.

The entertainment will be live on the facebook group starting at noon with Andy appearing at 8pm.

The 20 acts in the semi final are: Jenny Adesanya, Laura Princess Bell, Lacey Byker, Destiny Mannan, Jasper Cherry, Jasmyn Ellerton, Taylor Fay, Anna Greenaway, Kat Haydock, Heidi Hodgskin, Jordan Livesey, Hannah McGrail, Darcy O'Brian, Maddison Peacock, Patrick Ralphson, Sophie Stott, Tom Shaw, Konnor Sisson, Theo and Olly Slater and Ruby Yates.