X Factor-style competition has whittled contestants down to top 50 retail employees in a quest to find the best vocal performer for 2010 and raise funds for retail charity.
Retail staff from up and down the UK have auditioned at four locations in an attempt to become the next winner of this year's Retail Trust's Search For A Star competition.

The top 50 solo singers and vocal groups have been hand picked and will be performing live at the Brent Cross Shopping Centre on Saturday, October 30 in the next round.

The contestants will be put to the public vote after performing from 10.30am on Saturday but, not before judges Marke Heyes from ITV, Capital FM's Rich Clarke and X Factor's Laura White give their opinions.

Retailers with at least two acts in the top 50 include Debenhams, House of Fraser, John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, as well as supermarket chains Tesco, Sainsbury's and Morrisons.

The Brent Cross performances will also be available to view at www.retailtrustsearchforastar.com. The public can vote by texting 'STAR' and the act's number to 70099.

The next round will see the top 10 acts perform at a secret London location in front of a celebrity judging panel, while the final four will perform live at the Retail Trust London Ball on January 31, 2011, where the winner will be announced.

M&S executive chairman Sir Stuart Rose said: "Retail Trust is the unsung hero of our industry considering the vast amount of work they do and this is a fantastic way to sing the charity's praises for all the hard work they do. Not only does Retail trust Search For A Star celebrate talent, it also raises important funds to look after everyone who works in our sector."

Last year's winner was 19-year old Nicola Cassells, who works for H Samuel. "she said I have been having the most brilliant year that I could have imagined... I've been having a ball and can't wait to see this year's top 50." Watch footage of her performance here.