BUDDING Old Hill singer James Wythes is urging local fans to get behind him to achieve his dream of performing backed by a 60-piece orchestra at top comedian Jason Manford's Christmas show.

James, aged 21, of Station Road, has entered a competition to sing at the Jason Manford Christmas show, accompanied by the Piccadilly Symphony Orchestra, at Manchester's Bridgewater Hall on December 8.

People can vote for him singing "Bring him Home", from Les Miserables, until midnight on Friday (Nov 20) by going to www.jasonmanfordschristmas.com. They should then log into their facebook account on the link and, when signed in, go to the video page and scroll down to James Wythes's video, click on the video and then vote.

"I've been singing all my life and this is a big chance to further my career," said James, a former pupil at Halesowen's Earls High School, who has been a professional singer for 18 months.

"I do a lot of swing numbers and have always wanted to perform with a big orchestra."

James's mother, Anne Wythes, said: "We would encourage local people to get behind him to help him to have a dream come true."