JUDGES were impressed by the latest wave of talent as the final auditions for Dorset's Got Talent got underway.

The final round of auditions saw another wide variety of acts strut their stuff in the Weldmar Hospicecare Trust competition.

The auditions began yesterday and will continue today at Freshwater Beach Holiday Park in Burton Bradstock.

The charity's event organiser Matt Smith, who was part of the judging panel, said that the final round of auditions maintained the high standard that had been set throughout the audition stages of the Dorset Echo-backed event.

He said: "To date we have seen a variety of fantastic talent from people all across Dorset including singers, musicians, dancers, magicians, fire acts plus so much more.

"The standard of talent has been phenomenal and it is now down to the panel of judges to make the tough decision of narrowing all of our auditionees down to just 20 to compete in one of our two semi finals starting next weekend."

Those who entered the auditions now face a nervous wait as the judges compile their list of semi-finalists, which will be revealed early next week.

The successful entrants will then go through to the live finals, which will take place on Saturday, February 28 and Saturday, March 7 and will see the audience have a say on the outcome.

The Grand Final will then be held at Freshwater on Saturday, March 21.

Mr Smith said: "The live shows are guaranteed to be fantastic and our voting audience will be wowed by the standard of talent."

The winning act will receive a £500 cash prize as well as a family holiday in Burton Bradstock and a guaranteed performance at the Dorset 2015 Festival with an audience of around 5,000 people.

Tickets for the live shows are available to buy online at weld-hospice.org.uk/talent All proceeds from the competition will go to support the work of Weldmar's dedicated team in the county.

Mr Smith said: "All the money raised from Dorset's Got Talent will go to Weldmar Hospicecare Trust to continue providing high quality care, love and support to patients and their loved ones across Dorset."

Last year Dorset's Got Talent raised £5,000 and organisers are hoping to beat that total this time round.