A TOWN talent competition which gives aspiring performers a first step was a big success, organisers have said.

Mold Carnival, which is organised by volunteers, holds an annual talent competition called Time2Shine - which took place during the carnival on Sunday.

Three auditions and a semi final were held and more than 25 people and separate groups attended the sessions, which were judged by Carolyn Davies-Moore, lecturer in drama and theatre studies at Deeside 6th Form College, Jim Evans, a local businessman, music lover and organiser of Mold’s popular music festival Live on the Square and Emyr John, creative engagement associate from Theatr Clwyd.

The judges decided to invite back four entrants from the junior category (under 15 years) and five from the senior category (15 and over) to the final on carnival day.

Of those, 12-year-old Molly Fleming of Mold was named the winner for the juniors and 16-year-old Owen Barton-Davies from Carmel in Holywell was the winner for the seniors.

Molly's mum Catherine Fleming told the Leader she is extremely proud of her daughter, who sang 'Defying Gravity' form the musical Wicked.

She said: "She is absolutely thrilled to have won and she was genuinely shocked - she just kept putting her hand over her mouth.

"There was a lot of fantastic talent at the competition and we're very proud of her. We're very grateful to Mold Carnival for giving her the chance to sing."

Owen, an apprentice hairdresser at Saks in Chester, sang 'Never Enough' from The Greatest Showman.

He said: "I got through to the finals last year but I didn't win. I was shocked when I found out I'd won this time - there were a lot of great people in it."

Jane Evans, a member of Mold Carnival Committee, said: "It was an excellent success, we had a lot more entrants for the senior category this year which was fantastic. There was a lot of great talent and the judges had a very difficult decision to make."

Speaking of the experience the event offers aspiring performers, she added: "I think it is important - we like to think the auditions are friendly and are a good environment for people to take their first steps.

"We do see people coming back each year and their talent improves each time. I would say to anyone who didn't get through to the final that they should not give up - keep working and auditioning."

The final was judged by a new set of judges, who were Sherrie Hewson from ITV's Benidorm, Coronation Street and Loose Women, Andrew Lancel from TV and stage including Coronation Street and The Bill, Theatr Clwyd's Artistic Director Tamara Harvey, Richard and Adam Johnson from Britain’s Got Talent and Reece Ryan BCA, Carnival host for the last five years.

This year the Mayor of Mold will be inviting former finalists of Time2Shine to perform at the Christmas concert to be held in December in aid of the mayor’s Save a Life, Make a Difference appeal, the date of which is to be confirmed.

The three other junior finalists were Ella Dokk-Olsen, Seren Jones and Erica Roberts. The four other senior finalists were Eve Hughes, Antonia Livingstone, Donna Gladman and Antonia Wilkes.