The Island’s hottest singing competition is back for its third year – and with an all-new format and increased prize fund, it’s set to be the biggest yet. Search for a Star 2011, sponsored by Alliance and Leicester International and G&D’s Nightclub in association with 3FM, is a singing competition based on the format of the popular ITV show, X Factor. This year sees each of the judges allocated a group of three contestants to mentor, X Factor style, throughout the five-week competition. Voting, primarily by audience participation, will take place each week, with the judges asked to save one contestant in the ‘Singing for Survival Showdown’. However, to gain a place in the final 12 contestants must first go through the audition stage. This year’s categories are males, females, groups and over-25s. Judges are DJ Stuart Hampson, Councillor Carol Malarkey and Alliance and Leicester International’s sales manager Clare Taylor and community affairs manager George Campbell who said: ‘We’re hoping 2011 is going to be a bumper year for entries and we’d like to hear from as many different categories of contestant as possible to ensure we have a broad range of acts the public can vote for. With ?1000, a professionally produced CD by DAM productions and a spot at this year’s Isle of Man Bay Festival the first prize is really something special.’ All funds raised from the competition are in aid Age Concern Isle of Man. Business development consultant Carole Male said: ‘Search for a Star is a lot of fun and one of our biggest fundraising events, and thanks to the support of our sponsors Alliance & Leicester International and G&D’s nightclub we’re able to offer a fantastic ?1000 first prize and ?500 second prize. We’re also grateful to DAM productions, Jamie Irving and 3FM for all the support they’re providing.’ Auditions will be held at G&D’s Nightclub in Douglas on Sunday March 20 at 6.00pm. Contestants are encouraged to register online with Age Concern Isle of Man at www.ageconcerniom.com or via the link at www.three.fm. Search for a Star heats take place on March 24 and 31, April 7 and 14 at G&D’s Nightclub starting at 7.30pm, with the final being held on April 21 at the Manx Legion Club, Douglas at 7.30pm. Ends