A YOUNG singer and an Irish dancing barman were the winners of Abingdon’s annual festival of hidden talent.

They beat 17 other acts, including a body bop dancer and a singing grandfather, to win the fourth Abingdon’s Got Talent.

The event, organised by the town council, took place in Market Place on Saturday.

Winners Francesca Sissons, 14, a pupil at the School of St Helen and St Katherine, performed a moving version of Paolo Nutini’s Rewind, while the Riverdance-style wizardry of Barley Mow barman Ed Henderson, 22, also wowed the judges.

Francesca said: “I never really expected to win it. My microphone was too high up when I started, so I had to stop and start again.

“I am really shocked, and never won anything like this before.”

Francesca has recently recorded a demo of her work, and hopes to become a professional singer.

Mr Henderson, from Drayton, said he took up Irish dancing aged 14 after watching Riverdance and Lord of the Dance on TV.

He went on to study at a dance college in London and said he hoped it was not too late to make it as a professional.

Mr Henderson added: “I don’t know whether I have missed my chance of being in the big shows, but I would really love it. All the years of practice have really torn up the front room carpet and the kitchen floor, and I have never entered anything like this before. If I am lucky, I may get a free pint to celebrate at the pub.”

Mayor of Abingdon Mike Badcock, one of the judges, said he was amazed by the quality of the acts.

He added: “I just did not realise we had so much talent in the town. Ed was in a class of his own. So many of the acts were entertaining, but he was technically brilliant.

“There was a whole range of talent on show, as well as confidence in getting up on stage and performing in front of the town.”

In the 17s and under competition, dancer Oona Landsgrebe came third, while duo Sofia Himpson and Ella Lovell and street dancer Jasmine Ricketts shared second place.

Singer Amy Wilson was runner-up in the 18-plus category, with singing sisters Jaqui Hepher and Pam Aird in third.

Other acts included the Strawberry Fayre Majorettes and rock band No Fear.