A CHARITY event raising thousands of pounds for a hospice has proved that Dorset does indeed have talent.

Annabel Davies, aged just 12, scooped first prize at the finals of Dorset’s Got Talent, organised and in aid of the Weldmar Hospicecare Trust.

She wowed judges and a 200-strong audience with her rendition of Titanium by David Guetta.

Second and third places were awarded to Laura Greenway, 25, from Dorchester, who sang On My Own from Les Miserables, and Dorchester-based youth dance group Dynamo Dancers.

The event at the Freshwater Holiday Park at Burton Bradstock raised £5,700 for the Dorset charity.

Event organiser Matt Smith said he was amazed at the ‘hidden talent’ in the county.

He said: “When we started this, we didn’t really know how it was going to go.

“But we have actually been really fortunate because all the acts have been incredibly talented.

“It was so difficult to narrow it down to the finalists.”

Auditions began in February with a final 10 acts performing live before judges picked the top three.

Annabel, who lives near Lyme Regis, was ‘just fantastic’, Matt added.

“For someone her age her voice is just out of this world and she obviously has a really good career in front of her.”

It is the first time the talent show has been held, and as well as raising much-needed funds for the hospice, the organisers wanted to give something back to everyone who’s donated.

Matt said: “It’s not just about us asking for money, this was something that is entertaining and I think the audience had a really great time.

“All those who auditioned had the chance to perform in front of a crowd of 200 people and hopefully that’s something that will help build their confidence and enable them to grow as performers.”

He added: “We are already planning to run the same event next year.”