The cream of the town's entertainers has been whittled down to 14 acts - and they are today preparing to appear in the final of Ipswich Has Got Talent.

IPSWICH: The cream of the town's entertainers has been whittled down to 14 acts - and they are today preparing to appear in the final of Ipswich Has Got Talent.

Today, the 12 singers and two dance acts are honing their skills for the grand finale of the contest which will be held at Ipswich Corn Exchange on December 16.

Over the past few months, heats for the competition have been taking part in many of the pubs and clubs of Ipswich.

Tickets for the final are proving popular. However, organiser Kevin Smith said there are still some available for the Ipswich version of the blockbuster ITV series, Britain's Got Talent, which has made stars of acts like Susan Boyle and Diversity.

The competition, which is the brainchild of Mr Smith, is part of Ipswich police's SMILE (Safety Makes Ipswich Life Enjoyable) campaign.

The concept aims to illustrate that people from all generations can mix and have an enjoyable night out in the town.

Mr Smith, a police community support officer, said Ipswich Has Got Talent has fired the imagination of many acts who have taken part.

He said: “We are surprised by the success of the event and the number of acts we have had enter. The quality has been excellent and the heats have been enjoyable. It has been great to bring the community together.

“It has been six months of planning and I know the acts in the final are very, very excited. They are really looking forward to it.”

The finalists, who include two youths - the youngest of whom is aged 16, are made up of 12 singers and two dance groups.

In addition there will be performances by three Suffolk bands - Hot Fuzz, Underline The Sky and Sambroomba.

Tickets for the final are on sale priced at �5 for adults and �3 for under 18s.

All profits from the event will go to Suffolk charities.

Anyone wishing to purchase tickets for Ipswich Has Got Talent should telephone Mr Smith on 07798 888900 or contact the Corn Exchange box office on 01473 433100.

The Evening Star has 20 pairs of tickets to give away for the final of Ipswich Has Got Talent

All you have to do is answer this simple question: What are the names of the judges on Britain's Got Talent?

Send your entries to Evening Star Talent Competition, PO Box 137, Ipswich IP4 1EN. Closing date for entries is Friday and normal Archant competition rules apply.