HUNDREDS of talented young people showed off their performing skills as they aimed to win places in the final of the Talent Oxford contest.

Auditions took place at Oxford Castle on Saturday and Sunday as judges tried to whittle entrants down to a final shortlist of 16. Acts ranged from classical singers to martial arts. The performers were aged between five and 18.

Event spokesman Jo Love paid tribute to the “incredible talent” of young people in Oxfordshire. She said: “It was amazing to see these young people, and what they are capable of. The judges will now be left with a very difficult decision to make, because the quality really was that good.”

Talent Oxford is Oxfordshire’s biggest schools talent contest. Founded by entrepreneur Lydia Igweh, the contest aims to give children a platform to showcase their talents to a wider audience.

Among the groups taking part was Diamante, a band formed by five Oxford girls. They said: “It was a really amazing experience. We have never had the opportunity to do anything like this before.”

Another Oxford girl-band, Momentum, are also hoping to make it through to the final. They said: “We read about the competition in the Oxford Mail.

“It has really given us the chance to perform and do what we want to do. It’s really good to have an event like this, which is so local to us.”

The acts who make it through to the competition's final will come under the scrutiny of former X Factor contestant Rachel Adedeji, who is part of the judging panel. Ms Adedeji was just 17 when she auditioned for a second time on the TV talent show and made it through to the final 12.

She said that she had become involved in the event to “help inspire young stars who also want the chance to shine and have a performance platform where they can be rewarded for their talent”.

Other judges included Jack FM’s Graham Lysaght, St Trinian’s actor Lauren Keown, international dancer Kelly Chandler and Talent Oxford magazine editor Reya El-Salahi.

Awards will be given for best dance act, best vocal, best group, best original act, along with an aspiring star award. The grand final will be held at The Theatre, at Headington School, on October 2.