Six entertaining youngsters landed scholarships at Top Hat Stage and Screen School after winning a competition.

More than 60 children from schools across Potters Bar took part in the auditions run jointly by the stage school, which holds weekend lessons in Elm Court Community Centre, as well as across the county, and Hertfordshire County Council.

The prize for the best acts that took part in dance, singing and drama workshops was a scholarship for a whole year, worth more than �900. Hertsmere mayor Peter Knell was called in to present the awards.

He said: “It was a pleasure to come and see so many young people enjoying themselves in singing, dance and drama.

“The look on their faces showed they were really enjoying themselves. “It was an honour to be able to hand out the awards to these dedicated children. From little acorns, big stars do grow.”

Top Hat principal Warren Bacci said: “We ran the scheme as we wanted to find a child who had the passion and the talent for performing, but otherwise couldn’t afford to attend a stage school such as ours.

“It was such a delight to meet so much undiscovered talent from all across Hertsmere and I look forward to next year.”