THE Daily Echo's annual search for the stars of the future reaches a climax at the Bournemouth International Centre on Sunday (September 7). This year's final of the annual Star Trail talent contest features an impressive array of singers, dancers and musicians competing for trophies, cash prizes and, above all, recognition from agents, bookers, managers and audiences. There's also a chance for the winner to represent Bournemouth in the British Resorts Association talent search finals later this year. Telephone 01202 456456.

A NEW Salisbury Playhouse season started this week with the opening of a three-and-a-half week run of Melvyn Brag and Howard Goodall's celebrated stage musical The Hired Man. Directed by artistic director Joanna Reed and set in Northern England, it tells the story of a young casual labourer and his wife during the tough days of the first quarter of the 20th century. Runs until Saturday September 27. Telephone 01722 320333.

ONE-TIME star of 70s sitcom Are You Being Served John Inman stars in classic seaside farce Bedside Manners at the Pier Theatre in Bournemouth until Saturday September 6. Also starring are Confessions Of.... veteran Robin Askwith, Louise English, Georgina Moon and Malcolm Lord who played Bungle Bear in Rainbow. 01202 456456.

JIM Davidson returns to the Bournemouth International Centre on Sunday with his final xxx-rated adults only show of the summer season. Definitely not for the easily offended. Davidson's old mate and sometime panto co-star Roger Kitter from 'Allo 'Allo is support act. He plays Weymouth Pavilion on Monday and Tuesday nights. Tel 01202 456456..

LONG-running feelgood rock 'n' roll musical That'll Be The Day adds an extra day to its Bournemouth summer schedule and switches theatres from the BIC to the Pavilion. . Enjoying its seventh summer season in the town this good-natured romp through the glory years of pop from Elvis and Buddy Holly to glam-rock, now plays Tuesday to Saturday. Call 01202 456456.

THE man who styles himself, The world's funniest Cornishman, Jethro continues six weeks of Monday night mirth-making at the Pavilion Theatre. Bearded and bawdy, he tells tall tales from England's own wild west. Every week until September 15. Tel 01202 456456.

THE Summer Seaside Spectacular brings 60s singers Susan 'Bobby's Girl' Maughan and The Bachelors to the Pier Theatre in Bournemouth one last time this weekend. Also appearing are George Formby tribute star Alan Randall and Stu 'Crush a Grape' Francis. Call 01202 456456.

FAMILY entertainment arrives at The Mowlem Theatre in Swanage on Sunday with singing and dancing from Je T'aime, magic and illusion from The Verge of Reality and juggling from Barney Bay. The show is simply called A Summer Variety Show.

THE mild man of middle of the road is back. Gentle Irish crooner Daniel O'Donnell completes a five night residency at the Bournemouth International Centre's Wessex Hall on Saturday night (September 6). Besieged as ever by besotted fans, the tea-caddy collecting boy next door style entertainer continues to weave his curious magic over ladies of a certain age. Support act is Mary Duff. Telephone 01202 456456.

LIVE music from some of the area's finest bands is on offer at the Boscombe Community Fair which will be staged at Bournemouth's Kings Park on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Dubheart, Pronghorn and the Absolute Darlings are among many bands playing over the three days. There's also family entertainment and even a Healing Tent with alternative therapies and massage.

IN A BRIEF aside from her month of Sunday's on Bournemouth Pier with Irish crooners The Bachelors, sixties singer Susan Maughan takes a trip to Weymouth on Friday and cranks up the volume to appear in the town's Rock and Pop Festival 2003 with Geordie R&B veterans The Animals and pioneering English rock instrumentalists The Tornados. The event at the Pavilion Theatre continues on Sunday night with an Elvis look-a-like competition and an appearance by one-time Bay City Roller Les McKeown with his latest version of the band and The Rubettes. THE stars of Christchurch's annual Stomping on the Quomps, The Taveners Big Band show they can play indoors too with a 20th anniversary concert at the town's Regent Centre on Sunday. The Kings of Swing play big band standards by the likes of Miller, Basie, Goodman, Ellington and of course the Dorsey brothers. Telephone 01202 499148.

BLUESNIGHTS return to Dorchester Arts Centre on Saturday (Sept 6) with music by Ian Briggs and The Supervampers. Briggs has been playing blues harp since the 1960s and has played with musicians like Robert Cray, Eddie Kirkland and Louisiana Red. He arrives at Dorchester with a guitar, bass and drums backing from Andy Christie, Ian Turner and Dave Sheen and a new CD, Dangerous Women, under his belt. Telephone 01305 266926.

FOLKIES from all over the south will be heading for Swanage this weekend as the seaside town plays host to its annual three day Folk Festival. Starting on Friday and running until Sunday it will feature music in the Sandpit Field from acts like The Bill Jones Trio and at The Parish Church with people like Hardcore Fluff and The New Scorpion Band. There's much, much more too of course. Call 01929 422885 for details.