THE younger generation probably thinks Simon Cowell created talent shows.

But long before the high-waisted Svengali instigated this variety entertainment revival, with X Factor and Britain's Got Talent, Bournemouth was hosting its own talent show -The Echo Star Trail.

In fact, the Bournemouth talent show, renamed Search for a Star, is now in its third decade.

I became involved 19 years ago, when larger-than-life host David Lever and the equally colourful Jackie Vincent presented it to sold-out audiences at the Wessex Hotel with glittering finals at the Pavilion Theatre and BIC.

The Echo became sponsors and as chairman of the judging panel I scrutinised thousands of acts over the years.

Steve Crawford took over the competition when David Lever died, and Guy Thomas became compere.

We brought a whole host of celebrities on board as fellow judges: Lionel Blair, former Radio One DJ Mike Read, actor Barry Howard, Brotherhood of Man band member and Eurovision Song Contest winning Nikki Stevens, Brittas Empire star Tim Marriott, Sue Hodge from 'Allo 'Allo, Emerdale actor Fraser Hines and Michael Barrymore's wife Cheryl.

In fact, Simon Cowell's co-judge Amanda Holden judged her very first talent show with the Echo Star Trail at the Pavilion Theatre.

I recall explaining to her how to judge each act by marking them on Talent, Presentation, Personality and Star Potential.

Over the years we have seen it all - from the phenomenally talented to the extraordinarily deluded.

We know how to pick a winner too. Several winning acts went on to represent Bournemouth at the British Resorts and Destinations Association national final - notably Damon Scott, the comedy puppeteer last year came third in Britain's Got Talent.

Judging and reviewing the weekly heats I have received bundles of hate mail. Disappointed mums have screamed at me; dads have raised their fists to me and I've had to be escorted out of the building for my own safety.

I've loved every minute of it, of course, and as David Lever used to say: "The most exciting thing about talent shows is you never know when the next Shirley Bassey will walk on."

Despite this long association with talent shows it doesn't get any easier picking a winner - as I realised judging this year's contest at the Pier Theatre last week.

As I scribbled marks in the dark I realised I had three or four acts as potential winners.

My fellow judges were equally perplexed. But when all the marks were collated we discovered we had all agreed that the highly promising Poole vocalist/dancer Simon Montana Hollosi, 19, was the blossoming future star who should represent us at BRADA on November 22.

So good luck to Simon - I know he will do well.

And thank you to all the amazing individuals who entered this year's competition and gave us some fantastic evenings at the Pier Theatre.

If you missed the competition this summer - as a competitor or audience member, don't miss the first-ever Christmas talent show later this year.