FLAMING June might not have got off to a fiery start weather-wise, but there is certainly no shortage of red-hot entertainment to choose from!

There's a chance to enjoy the very best of our home-grown talent this weekend when the Star's very own 'Young Stars of Tomorrow' competition reaches an exciting climax at Cowley High School Arts Theatre, Gamble Avenue.

The semi-final of the senior section will be held on Friday, June 15, starting at 7.30pm, and on Saturday, June 16, the Grand Final of both the junior and senior sections will get underway at 7pm. Admission is free.

THE Theatre Royal, St Helens plays host to the master of mirth, Ken Dodd on Friday, June 15 with curtain up at 7.30pm. And the following evening at the Corporation Street venue you can enjoy 'The Masters of the House' featuring four former stars of the record-breaking musical 'Les Miserables' singing songs from that show along with a selection from 'Evita', 'Phantom of the Opera' and more.

FABULOUS Blues band, Parker's Alibi are on stage at The Citadel, Waterloo Street on Saturday, June 16 from 8pm (replacing Eugene 'Hideaway' Bridge who was due to appear on Friday, June 15). And looking ahead to next weekend, bands from the St Helens Music Collective will be at The Citadel on Friday, June 22, and on Saturday, June 23 The Bisserov Sisters, a Bulgarian trio, present the music of the Prin Mountins. Both events start at 8pm.

THE World of Glass is presenting a Needlecraft Exhibition in the Reflections Gallery until Wednesday, July 11 from 10am to 5pm (hours subject to change, please telephone to confirm). Included in this are Christine Currah's award-winning crochet, the Millennium Cape, featuring scenes from the past 1,000 years, and the magnificent 'Summer Garden' king-sized quilt created by the St Helens Patchwork Group which is being raffled to raise funds for Willowbrook Hospice. Admission is free.

NEWTON Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society (NADOS) are performing 'Kiss Me Kate' at Earlestown Town Hall from Tuesday to Saturday, June 19 to 23 at 7.30pm. Tickets, £4.50, are available from 01942 724842.

THE Poet and the Painter, yours truly and Carol Anne Eaves, are currently staging their latest exhibition, 'Reflections' at the Silhouette Dance Club, Boundary Road. Further details from 01744 20136/01744 26338.

A JAZZ Rendezvous takes place at the Star Inn, Rainford every Sunday from 8.30pm, admission is free.

THERE will be a car boot sale at De La Salle School, Mill Brook Lane, Eccleston on Saturday, June 23. Pre-booked sites only, further details from 27548.

PIRELLI Swimming Instruction Club (formerly BICC) is celebrating its 50th birthday with a Buffet Dance at Prescot Leisure Centre, Warrington Road on Saturday, October 20 from 7.30pm onwards. Any former members wishing to attend should ring 0151 430 7710.

SOCIETY NEWS

ST HELENS & District Hard of Hearing Society meet on Monday, June 18 for their annual coach trip.

'THE Car Park' will be the topic at the next meeting of St Helens Writers Club at the Central Library, Victoria Square on Wednesday, June 20 from 7 to 9pm.