Jonathan Howell Talent Trail Reporter

As a reporter from the Mail, I'm not allowed to enter Talent Trail, but even if I was I wouldn't have a chance of winning.

The best reaction I can hope for when singing is laughter. Any act I tried to put on would likely end in me being burried under a shower of rotting fruit.

My greatest talent is double-jointed thumbs - and the only use for that is

making people feel squeamish. It's not something that was ever going to see me get into the final of the contest. But as one of the reporters covering the event in detail this year I have to admit, other people's enthusiasm for it is growing on me.

Talent Trail is infectious and there is only one thing I can put it down to. The acts, the venues, and the organisers are all so excited during the build-up to the heats that after a while you find yourself being carried along with them too.

Some of the nicest reactions are from the people over in east Hull. They feel that for years the competition has been very much something for the other side of the

river. Some of them have ventured across town to make it, braving large taxi fees or nights without drinking to either watch the contest or take part themselves. But for most of them Talent Trail has been something they only read about, not having the chance to enjoy it first hand.

Now, thanks to the three clubs in the area which have signed up, seven of the heats are taking part on the east side of the river and the people are looking forward to it. I wonder if acts from east Hull are going to give people from the west a run for their money this year. And is Talent Trail going to take on a derby feel?