A TALENTED 18-year-old singer from Ellesmere Port beat off stiff competition to claim the top spot at the Mayor of Ellesmere Port’s first Port’s Got Talent evening.

Chelsea Bevan, from Westminster, is attending a Performing Arts course at West Cheshire College.

She sang her way to success with Stay by Rihanna and won a cash prize and the opportunity to perform at local events throughout the summer.

There was strong competition as Chelsea pipped seven other acts to the title.

Patrick Cummings had performed a drum solo, while local band The Fuse also took to the stage. Singers Rebecca Hulley, Kirstie Thompson, Rachel Woods and opera singer Zoe Boyd also impressed.

Mayor of Ellesmere Port Pat Merrick, said: “This is the first time an event such as this has been held in Ellesmere Port and it was great to see the range of acts that entered.

“All eight acts performed brilliantly and shared their talents with the audience but we had to choose a winner. Really well done to Chelsea.

“Judge Joshua Sinclair who is organising a music festival in the town over the summer was so impressed by all the acts that he invited them all to perform at it.

“The evening was well attended, with lots of people coming to help raise funds for local groups working with young people and to support friends and family who were performing on the night.”