THE island’s youngsters have shown they have got what it takes to get to the top in showbiz at the inaugural Guernsey’s Got Junior Talent contest. More than 40 youngsters aged five to 18 took part in the auditions, but only 22 acts made it through to perform on stage at St James yesterday.

Senior section winner was Barney Hudson of Elizabeth College. He placed ahead of Michaela Byrne and Jacob Cherry.

The junior section saw Alina Young, who opened yesterday’s final, place first ahead of India Phillips and Jesse Byrne in second and third respectively.

Alina, 11, said the atmosphere at the final had been inspiring.

‘There’s such a big crowd – it’s great. It’s so full that there are even people having to sit in the balconies.’

Former dance teacher Carrie Birch, who was on the judging panel, said the standard of the competition had been stunning.

‘The hard thing for us is that there is such a variety of acts – it’s even harder for us to make a choice. But that’s a good thing in a way because all the judges are looking for something different.’

She was joined on the panel by Island FM DJ James Bentley, former BBC Guernsey presenter Dan Courtney and Denise Fawcett of the Youth Service.

Mr Bentley said all 22 acts were terrific.

‘Whether they win or lose shouldn’t matter because they have performed in front of a big crowd and they should all be very proud of themselves.’

Jordan Veloso, 15, was delighted to have made it through to yesterday’s final, at which he sang You’ve Got a Friend.

‘My mum phoned me up an hour before the auditions started saying there was something in the paper and asking whether I wanted to go in for it and I’m pleased I did.’

Nine-year-olds Georgette Fletcher and Victoria Chammings performed It’s a Hard Knock Life as a duet.

They both said they had enjoyed the atmosphere at the final.

‘It’s nice to have people clap for you,’ said Georgette. ‘We do all the dance festivals and the Eisteddfod, but unlike at Beau Sejour you can see everyone in the audience here when you are on stage and you can see them smile.’

However, it was not all plain sailing for the performers, especially those doing tap routines – the stage at St James needed a little work to make it less slippery.

‘I was doing tap, so it was quite scary,’ said India Phillips, 10.

‘We had to hairspray the floor to make it sticky before I went on to make sure I did not fall over.’

Women’s Refuge chairwoman Sara Mallet said it was fantastic to see St James packed.

‘Our aim was to raise funds for the refuge and it was definitely worth the price of a ticket to see these guys perform.

‘Women’s Refuge is completely based and run on charitable funds, so the more money we make the better.’

She said the event came about as a result of demand from youngsters not old enough to take part in the charity’s Reach for a Star competition in the summer.

‘Everyone who attended the auditions for this was fantastic, but we had to choose those who gave us the best variety of acts.’