SHOPPERS are being called on to cheer talented city youngsters tomorrow as Talent Oxford returns for a second year.

One hundred acts a day will sing and dance for visitors to Templars Square Shopping Centre in Cowley between 9am and 6pm over the next two weekends.

The competition, for youngsters aged up to 18, was a massive hit when it launched last year, and this year more than 800 people applied to take part.

Auditions will take place tomorrow and Sunday and the following weekend, showcasing the talents of youngsters from across the UK for new contest Talent Rocks.

The competition will feature a wider variety of acts, including dance shows, catwalks, music and theatre and art.

Finals for both will be held at the Kassam Stadium on June 3 and 4.

This year’s judging panel includes 2009 X-factor finalist Graziella, last year’s Aspiring Star Award winner Andy MacIntosh, Glide FM breakfast presenter Sophie Bruce, commercial director of Jack FM Graham Lysaght and Alexa Baigent, cheerleader for the Harlequins rugby team.

Talent Oxford founder Lydiah Igweh, who will also be on the panel, said: “This year we’ve had over 800 applicants applying to take part.

“We had people from Italy apply but we had to turn them down – maybe we should become international.”

She said: “The idea is to celebrate all of the arts that young people love and can relate to.

“It felt right after the success of Talent Oxford 2010 to create a national platform for young people to shine while still hosting it in the cosmopolitan city of Oxford.”

There are five awards up for grabs including best original act, best vocal act, best dance act and best group act.

Judge Andy MacIntosh said: “I will be looking out for someone who is prepared and passionate about their act.

“Their personality should come across and they should be able to interact with the audience.”

Among the acts auditioning will be Sky One’s Got to Dance semi-finalists Triology Dance Troupe.

Both auditions will be hosted by Miss Oxfordshire 2010, Alice Christian, Britain’s Next Top Model finalist Jasmia Robinson and Marvyn Williams from Shipwrecked and Clothes Show Live.For more details, or to buy tickets, call 01865 263184.