AS the date gets closer the Gift of Music Awards Day could strike just the right note for stage-struck youngsters.

Okehampton Lions are keen to encourage them to enjoy the spotlight during an evening of entertainment at Fairplace Church on March 29.

Lions spokesman Ray Dean said the aim was to boost confidence and potential.

He said: ?The gift is the opportunity for them to perform in front of an audience with professional support. If they sing we will give them some musicians.

?We want to have professional sound and lighting. All this will be set up for young people to do something on stage. It will give them a taste of success and importance for the night. Once they have savoured that it will help build their confidence.?

The intention is to make the Gift of Music Awards Day an annual event. There will be categories for singing, dancing, playing musical instruments and reciting poetry. All styles of music and performance will be welcomed.

Mr Dean said everyone ? organisers and participants ? will learn a lot from this first event. And everyone that appears on stage will be presented with a diploma to mark the event.

Mr Dean hopes the message will get around via posters, a schools leaflet drop and word of mouth.

?We want everyone who is keen to take part to be nominated so that there is someone there to support them,? he said.

?It may all sound very idealistic ? but you have to have some sort of ideals to start with ? especially if you want it to be a long-term thing.?

He said the evening was not intended to be a talent competition.

?We are looking for enthusiasm and conviction. The youngsters do not have to be the best on the night. It will be up to professional assessors to look through the performance to see the potential.?

Money raised on the evening will be ploughed into funds for the Gift of Music Awards which will help purchase a musical instrument or pay for a period of tuition for the fortunate youngsters selected by the assessors.

To find out more call Ray Dean on 01837 52605.