AUDITIONS for the first Xmas Factor talent competition will take place in Abergavenny later this month.

Welsh celebrity Peter Carrie will join the judging panel to help select a handful of hopefuls who will go through to the final.

The event was the idea of the Bryn y Cwm Association, made up of 12 local residents, in a bid to showcase local talent and raise funds for the Abergavenny Ice Fair.

Auditions are being held in the Market Hall at 2pm on October 29 and will be followed by the final at the Borough Theatre on 17 November.

The winner will perform at the resurrected Ice Fair, cancelled in 2006 as a result of tough budget cuts by Monmouthshire council, in the Market Hall in December and take home £250 in prize money.

Proceeds from the sale of tickets for the Borough Theatre will go towards the Narnia-themed Ice Fair.

Association member Sharon Lewis, said the event is open those aged 24 and under in the Bryn y Cwm area.

"We want as many people to come to the auditions whether they sing, dance, play an instrument or want to try their hand at comedy," said Miss Lewis.

Application forms for the auditions are available from the One Stop Shop on 01873 735800.