SEVERAL Bournemouth youngsters are off to the regional finals of a national talent competition.

They impressed judges at the recent heats of the TeenStar talent competition in Bournemouth and are through to the regional finals in Portsmouth on May 18.

The winners of that contest will play the national finals at London’s O2.

Teenage singer-songwriter Greg Johnson, 14, first made headlines last year when he persuaded Chris Evans to let him sing onstage in front of 20,000 people at the CarFest event near Basingstoke.

Greg, who goes to St Peter’s School in Southbourne, was praised by the judges for his songwriting and told he had the potential to “go a lot further”.

He also won a 12-hour recording session in a local studio.

“It’s always great to get good feedback,” said Greg.

“I’m hoping to record all my material then send it out to music producers, record labels and radio stations and see the feedback I get.”

Hannah Stienen, 15, an exchange student from Germany staying in Boscombe, secured her place in the final by performing on stage at the Carrington Hotel in Bournemouth in front of more than 100 people including her Dad and brother who flew over from Germany to see her sing.

“I really didn’t expect it,” Hannah said. “All of the other girls and boys had amazing voices. I actually cried a lot because if I got through to the next level it would be amazing to perform at the O2.”

At the Carrington, Hannah sung This Is Me, which she wrote herself, based on her first three months of living in England.

Bournemouth girls Heather Lonnon and Ella Brooks triumphed in the pre-teen section of the heats.

Heather, 11, performed Naughty from the show Matilda, while and Ella, 10, sang Young by Tulisa.