THREE talented singers from the Salisbury area have made it through to the regional finals of Open Mic UK.

Josh Gibbons, Katie Hayes and Krystal Lynch are the successful trio of singing hopefuls who sang their way through the auditions.

The competition is divided into age categories and Josh, who is 14, was successful in the under-16 section. Josh, who is in Year 10 at the Trafalgar School in Downton but who lives in Salisbury, is a member of E-Minor Pop Academy. He said: “I really want to pursue a career in music, singing and the performing arts. I am ecstatic about the Open Mic competition. I have been in many competitions, but nothing as big as this.”

Krystal Lynch lives in Amesbury and started singing about six years ago. “Many members of my family are musicians and singing is my big passion. I went on X Factor this year with two other girls and I am now looking at forming a girl trio,” she said.

Katie Hayes, who runs activity workshops for toddlers and children, called Wake Up, now sings with a new Salisbury-based band called Nicky’s House.

“I used to sing in the Salisbury-based band, Head to Head. I write my own music and at the audition I sang my own song,” she said.

The regional final will take place next Saturday, October 24, at the Ferneham Hall in Fareham.

If successful, they could be competing for a place in the national finals and the chance to get their first big break through a recording contract.