A Westcliff man could be on his way to Gran Canaria if his singing talent gets him through the next round of a national karaoke competition.

Les Cannon, of Elderton Road, will now sing along with other finalists from across the south of England after beating other pub singers at a singalong in his local bar, the Grand Hotel in Leigh.

Les, 34, a deputy manager of Burtons in Southend High Street, said he entered the competition just for fun, yet walked away with £50 and a chance of winning a holiday.

He said: "I've done a few other karaoke nights, but never a real competition. People poo-poo karaoke but it's always a bit of a laugh."

Les, who is a member of the Southend Operatic and Dramatic Society, sang Superstition by Stevie Wonder and Brown Sugar by the Rolling Stones to win his place alongside four others from across Essex, Kent and Suffolk.

Compere Sean Puleston, from First Class Entertainment in London which runs the event said the standard of singers was excellent.

Michelle Pilkington, manageress at the Grand Hotel, said: "He had so much more character than many of the other singers, not that I'm biased. We're now hoping to organise a coach to go up to London to support him."

Finalist - karaoke star Les Cannon

Picture:STEPEN LLOYD

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