A CHARITY project to showcase the talents of young performers in Kirklees has been launched.

Fresh Vibez gives musicians the unique opportunity to record their own CD of songs, which will then be sold all over the district.

The project will raise vital funds for youth cancer charity The Laura Crane Trust.

The Huddersfield-based charity has teamed up with Kirklees Young People’s Service on the project to find the best of local talent

They want to hear from solo artists, groups, bands and even choirs who think they have what it takes to represent the charity and lay down their tracks in a real recording studio.

Jemma Fitton, youth fundraiser for the charity, said: “We want to hear from any group or individual who is into singing and music and has written their own song.

“For any budding artists this really is a great opportunity to be involved in a project that will not only get your music out to the masses, but will also go towards helping an extremely worthwhile charity.”

The charity came up with the project as a fun way of involving young people in its fundraising work.

Kirklees Young People’s Service offered to help with the scheme and is now spearheading it together with a group of student volunteers from Fartown High School.

The group of youngsters are working hard promoting the project and have even put together a DVD explaining how young people can get involved.

The scheme encourages performers of all styles of music, from pop and rock to classical, to get involved by submitting their own songs.

The best entries will get the chance to record their songs, which will then be sold as a CD with all profits going to the charity.

Jemma said: “We’ve been contacting everyone, from schools and bands to local performing arts groups and it’s a great way of getting young people involved in something they would not otherwise have the opportunity to do.

“It’s a really unique project and we’re hoping talented local performers will get involved and help us make it a great success.

“We want to showcase all the talent there is in Kirklees as well as getting our charity’s message across and raising vital funds.

“It’s the perfect project because it gets young people involved with a charity which is very relevant to them.”

The competition is open to groups or individuals aged 11 to 19 and the closing date for entries is Monday, February 15.

Songs must be original and themed around issues affecting young people, such as bullying, racism and love.

Entrants need to complete an application form and send their songs in any listenable format.

To apply or for more details email IYCE@kirklees.gov.uk