Search for star with Eddy Factor

A talent competition is being planned in memory of Staffordshire's former Monster Raving Loony stalwart Mick Hames – to mark a year since his death.

His friends want talented performers, singers and bands to come forward to take part.

It is open to all styles of entertainment, from jugglers to bands, and first prize is 10 hours in a recording studio or £200 cash.

The competition, called The Eddy Factor, will be at Edward Street Working Men's Club in Chadsmoor, Cannock. Mr Hames ran the club with his partner Ellie Drury who is involved with the memorial show. Two auditions will be held on May 20 and 27 for people wanting to take part and the grand final will be on June 9.

Acts wanting to take part will have to pay £3 per entry and tickets cost £5. All money raised will go to the County Air Ambulance which was Mr Hames' favourite charity.

Helen Tindill, who was a friend of Mr Hames, said: "It is going to be a competition but is open to everyone.

"Mick was a very well-liked member of the community. He had got hundreds of friends and people want to remember him so we decided to do this in his memory."

She said there was a possibility it could become an annual event if it was a success. Mr Hames died in March last year at the age of 53 after suffering a heart attack following a long illness. Once proclaiming himself the Bishop of Rock 'n' Roll, he was well known throughout the area for loony antics, which included painting the exterior of his former Cannock pub The Laughing Leopardz yellow with black spots in honour of the party's emblem.

He brightened up the Cannock political scene during the 1990s when he tried to get members of the Loony Party elected to office.

He was also a friend of the late Screaming Lord Sutch, who founded the party, and on one occasion stood as his agent when he tried to get elected to Parliament as an MP.

His musical career included singing in a band called Warhead which once opened a show for Black Country rockers Judas Priest.

Anyone wanting to take part in the talent contest should call Helen Tindill on 01543 500926.