International recognition is on offer for talented singers from South Bucks this year as it was announced the winner of an annual music competition will be headlining a French festival.

The Voice of South Bucks has grown year-on-year and the Beaconsfield Twinning Association has donated the additional prize of allowing the winner to travel to twin-town Langres in the summer.

Celebrating their 20th anniversary this year, the group say they are pleased to announce their support for the contest hosted by The Red Lion, in Knotty Green.

Phillip Sheahan, chairman of the association said: “We wanted to do something special to celebrate our 20th birthday.

“Twinning aims to bring people of all ages together in a spirit of friendship - what better way to do that than through music and a musical exchange.”

The winning singer will get an all-expenses-paid trip across the Channel, to perform at the prestigious Langres Music Festival on June 21.

As well as the chance to sing in France, the winner of this year's Voice of South Bucks will also get £100 in cash, £100 in vouchers and a trophy donated by Beaconsfield company Shoebedo.

The BTA is also inviting the people of Langres to send their own singer to represent the French town at this year's Knotfest charity music festival which is also held at The Red Lion, every September.

The first round of the singing contest will be held on Saturday, March 21, at the Penn Road pub.

Landlady Tina Massie said: “I am delighted to join forces with the Twinning Association for the fourth year of The Voice of South Bucks and I am very grateful for their support.

“The contest just gets bigger and better every year - and the prize of singing at a major European music festival is, frankly, just amazing. It will also be wonderful to welcome someone from Langres to this year's Knotfest.”

For more information or to enter the competition, email tina@myredlion.com or go along on March 21.