CityBeat radio station has launched its annual search for Northern Ireland best 'undiscovered young talent'. The station will be bringing its search to Newry for the first time with auditions due to take place in The Quays Shopping Centre in July 2010.

Citybeat 96.7 / 102.5FM is hoping to build on the success of their 'Young Star Search' by adding on an additional category for 'young adults'.

The competition, now in to its forth year is backed by easyJet, 'Northern Ireland’s favourite airline' and is aiming to find Northern Ireland's best singing talent aged eight through to twenty-five.

Last year’s event enjoyed a massive response when over half a million people logged onto YouTube to watch the performances and eventual winners Anna Guest (8) from Newtownards & Rachel Campbell (16) from Belfast polling the majority of 30,000 listener votes.

Both went on to make a string of public performances as well as recording their own CD single which received national airplay.

Citybeat's Stuart Robinson who hosts the event is predicting an even bigger response this year with the launch of a new category for 17- 25 year olds and a brand new 'all star' judging panel.

“Every year we run this competition we are overwhelmed by the sheer talent we discover. I'm constantly being asked about raising the age limit and with the 'X Factor' snubbing over here for many years – we've decided to extend the limit right up to 25.

This means we will be providing a much needed platform for signers above the age of 17 to showcase themselves on a local level and prove to Simon Cowell that he is seriously missing out!

Of course we will also be running the usual 8-12 and 13-16 categories as normal and can't wait to hear who we'll discover this year.”

Aussie pop babe 'Gabriella Cilmi' has also thrown her weight behind the “Citybeat Young Star Search” after landing a UK Top 10 hit earlier this month with 'On A Mission' following on from last years success of her single 'Sweet About Me'

Speaking at the launch she had some words of encouragement for those trying out for the contest this year. “Any route to get a foot in the music business is great – it can sometimes be challenging but it is the taking part that counts - keep at it and above all enjoy the experience of performing and competing. I can't wait to hear the eventual winners,” she added.

The Citybeat Young Star Search with easyJet will be travelling all over the country during the summer months visiting shopping centres including The Quays and this year will feature a new judging line-up including record producer Mickey Modelle plus MTV and Citybeat star John Kearns.

This year’s winners will receive a selection of great prizes including a massive shopping spree, the opportunity to record their very own CD single with airplay and the chance to jet off with easyJet to a top European destination of their choice.

Citybeat listeners get the casting vote to determine which hopeful will represent that area in the contest’s finals which will take place in August at Castle Court Shopping Centre in Belfast.

Citybeat 96.7/102.5FM now want to hear from anyone who thinks they could be the next Robbie Williams or Cheryl Cole. There will be a junior category for those aged 8-12, an intermediate category for 13-16 year olds and the brand new 'young adults' category for the 17-25 year olds.

Anyone interested should hurry to book an audition space as demand is expected to be high. To enter, call 02890 234967 during office hours or apply online at www.citybeat.co.uk  before the end of April.

Audition spaces will be allocated on a first come basis.