Musicians, singers, dancers and actors, aged four to 18, took to the Customs House stage for the Pride of South Tyneside Awards Talent Show.

We received 24 entries for the Young Performer(s) of the Year category this year – the biggest field in the six years the awards have been running.

And the 15 acts invited to perform last night played to the biggest audience in the three years the talent show has been staged.

Jackie Fielding, sitting as a judge alongside previous winner Gareth Hunter and Eurovision star David Ducasse, said at the start of the show: "Last year was so diverse, I am really hoping we get to see lots of different acts."

She got her wish, with Irish dancing, swing music, street dancing and accordion playing thrown into the mix.

Singer Jade Thirlwall, 15, from Cornwallis Square, South Shields, opened the show with Bleeding Love, by Leona Lewis.

Gareth said her voice was "fantastically strong and controlled".

David added: "What an opener for a show. I think it was a great choice of song."

Kristopher Spencer, 15, from Nevinson Avenue, South Shields, followed with Ain't That a Kick in the Head, by Dean Martin.

Jackie described it as "very brave and very smooth".

Michelle Smith, 15, from Meldon Avenue, South Shields, completed the hat-trick of singers with Time to Say Goodbye, sung in English and Italian.

David said: "It was beautifully sung."

Dancer Gary Walsh, 16, from College Road, Hebburn, picked up the tempo with an energetic performance of The Jellicle Ball, from Cats, which he choreographed himself.

Jackie described it as "very cheeky" and David said some of the choreography was more detailed than the audition piece for the actual show.

Five-year-olds Antonia Fenwick and Jessica Scullion, and four-year-old Erin Spence, all from South Shields, brought the "Aaahh factor" to the show, Gareth said.

Dressed as a pig, a sheep and a duck, they danced to the nursery rhyme Old MacDonald.

Rio Adams, 16, from Alice Street, South Shields, danced to Stand Up For Love, by Destiny's Child.

Jackie said: "That was beautiful, a nice mix of classic and contemporary dance."

Budding actor Alexander Holt, 10, from Tynedale Road, South Shields, performed in front of his biggest audience to date, reprising his school-play role of Macbeth.

"That was extraordinary," said Jackie. "Great interpretation and genuinely interesting."

Hip-hop and street dancing group the Sarah McVey School of Dance, based in South Shields, brought the first half to a close.

David said: "I think it is a really popular and accessible style of dance, which is demonstrated in the mixed ages of the group."

The Stokes Collins School of Irish Dancing, based in Jarrow, opened the second half of the show with a colourful performance.

David said: "I didn't want to take my eyes off the stage. The rhythms were really great, and the formations were fantastic."

Singer/songwriter Ami Henderson, 16, from Waterside Park, Hebburn, took to the stage with her guitar and sang her self-penned number More Fool You.