YOU only win when your singing! That's the message to punters at The Ainsty in Boroughbridge Road, which is staging Pub Idol - the fame academy for those who can't leave the bar.

Pub bosses are looking for people who think they can do better than those poor souls on TV to take the stage and show off their skills.

The heats will begin over the next few weeks and the regional final, for the north east area, will also be held at the pub in November.

Hundreds of pounds worth of pub vouchers can be won, alongside a holiday to Las Vegas and a day in a recording studio for the national winner.

Manager Kenny Marchbank, 21, said there were a few talented regulars at the pub who are hoping to be successful.

He said: "We've had eight applications already and are hoping to get more than 25, but we expect the competition to be fierce.

"It's been going down really well so far. It's very popular as a few of our customers have decent voices which they show off at our weekly Thursday karaoke night. There are a few who make it better to leave the room and block it off I admit, but the majority are OK."

A series of heats will be held at the pub to find an in-house winner to represent York at the regional final.

Organisers expect to attract more than 2,000 wanabees to the competition, which is taking place at 85 John Barras pubs across England and Scotland.

The competition is free to enter and is open to anyone over the age of 18 years except professional singers. To enter simply visit the pub and ask for further details.

Who knows what vocal talent we have lurking in the dark corners of York's pubs? If you know someone who's a karaoke king or queen push them in the direction of The Ainsty, you never know where it might lead.

Updated: 09:48 Saturday, September 13, 2003