A PUB is hoping to find the next big star and raise money in the process by holding talent evenings.

The Greene Man is challenging would-be stars to showcase their skills and if they impress the judges they can win £250.

The Old Church Road pub is holding its Has Chingford Got Talent? evenings, based on the popular ITV entertainment show Britain's Got Talent, to raise money for the Whipps Cross University Hospital's Big Push Appeal.

The talent evenings take place every Saturday this month and there will be a grand final on Saturday, October 3.

Impressive acts may find their dream of stardom turned into reality as there is a talent agent evaluating the acts as well as judges just like on TV.

Mark Pacheco, 42, the pub's licensee and manager for the last year-and-a-half, said: “I wanted to raise money for a local charity and the staff and I think that the Big Push Appeal is the best local charity around.”

The Big Push Appeal aims to raise £350,000 for equipment and improvements to Whipps Cross Hospital's maternity unit.

The competition is open to anyone over five years old and is limited to groups of no more than six.

Each act will get a maximum of four minutes to perform and those taking part must provide their own music.

It costs £5 to take part.

For information visit the fundraising section of whippsx.nhs.uk.