THE search for the area's finest young singers got off to a great start when the first heat of The Headley Factor competition took place last weekend. The Headley Factor, now in its third year, is a singing competition open to solo singers and groups aged six to 16. Three competition heats are being held to select finalists, who will compete on Monday, September 15, for the top prize and trophies at the Headley Fete. During the first heat of the competition, last Saturday, July 5, the judges struggled to select the winners, but eventually awarded four finalists' medals to: Katherine Wellen, 10, Emma-Jane Bentley, 12, Alice Hiller, 13, and Kerry Lumb, 13. Competition organiser Caroline Hunt said: "While the number of competitors was slightly down on previous years, the judges found the standard of singing to be higher than in last year's heats. "It's fantastic to see so much young singing talent, and we hope to see even more in the remaining two heats." The two overall competition winners will win a session in a professional recording studio, as well as a trophy. A prize will also be awarded to the competitor who gives the best overall performance in the competition. The winner of this trophy will also have the opportunity to record their song at a local recording studio. The second Headley Factor heat will take place at The Holme School, in Headley, on Wednesday, but is only open to Holme School pupils. Those who would like to enter the competition but are not pupils at The Holme School, can take part in the remaining open heat, on Saturday, July 26, at 10.30am at Headley Village Hall. For rules and application forms, contact Caroline Hunt on 01428 717067, or log on to the website http://www.headley-village.com/fete">www.headley-village.com/fete. Alternatively, those interested in taking part can drop in to Headley Village Hall on July 26.