ENTRANTS have started to trickle in for the Mail's Talent Trail 2010 contest.

The competition to find Hull's next big act, launched last week, attracted more than 100 entries last year.

Organisers are hoping to attract more variety this year – from magicians to mimers and jugglers to jivers.

Soprano singer Amanda Brown is hoping that entering Talent Trail may be the start of her realising her dream to secure a record deal.

It will be the first time that the full-time mum from Little Weighton has performed solo on stage.

She said: "The last time I sang on stage was with the school choir so this is a new challenge.

"It will be a major confidence booster to have got myself up on stage on my own."

Organiser of the contest Liz Hugill has urged for people with all kinds of talents to enter.

She said: "Talent Trail has always been a variety show rather than exclusively a singing content.

"We are hoping this year we'll see a wider variety of acts – we want it to be more Britain's Got Talent – or rather Hull's Got Talent – than X Factor."

Now in its fourteenth year, Talent Trail will begin in clubs across Hull, where the heats and semi-finals are held.

The date for the first heat is yet to be finalised, but it will either be February 16 or 23.

The semi-finalists will compete on April 20, 22, 27 and 29 before the Grand Final at Hull City Hall on May 13.

The winner will receive the Talent Trail trophy and a prize of £1,500, while the runner-up will get £750 and the third-placed act will receive £250.

This year's event is being sponsored by Devilfishpoker.com – run by Hull-born poker player Dave "Devilfish" Ulliott.