SINGERS hopeful for a chance to perform before Sir Tom Jones himself gathered to impress talent scouts in Worcester.

More than a dozen performers faced an anxious wait at the Elgar School of Music in Deansway, before singing for scouts from ITV's The Voice UK.

Each singer had just five minutes to impress the two scouts with the song of their choice, at the event on Thursday afternoon.

And after, they were invited to apply for the 2018 series of the show – bringing them a step closer to possibly singing for celebrity judges Tom Jones, will.i.am, Jennifer Hudson and Gavin Rossdale.

Nervously waiting for her slot was opera singer Estelle Field, from Shoulton Lane in Hallow, near Worcester.

"I'm feeling really exciting and looking forward to it and I'm slightly nervous as well," She said. "I have been singing all my life. I'm hoping today will be my day for good luck!"

Another hopeful contender was Sammy-Jo Hall, aged 30 from Kidderminster.

She said: "I'm a singer on the circuit, I go round the pubs and clubs. It would just be a good stepping stone.

"I haven't decided what I will sing – I will decide when I get in there."

Speaking just after his audition, was Pedro Silva, aged 34, from Tolladine.

He said: "It did go well I tried to give it my all and not forget the words. I sang Goodbye Tomorrow from a Portuguese band who is no longer active.

"The judges were really nice and it made it easy. I auditioned before for the X Factor, it was a nerve-wracking experience."

A total of seven Elgar School of Music students – of all ages – performed for the scouts, while 13 others were from around the city.

Janine Parsons, head of the school, said: "It is an exciting time for all the students. It is a wonderful opportunity for them to go through the audition process. It is another opportunity to perform."

The Voice UK will air in 2018.