Any young person with a passion for performance, music or the arts is being encouraged to audition for this year's contest.

The event is run by Wandsworth Council's arts team in partnership with Bigga Fish, the borough's youth service and Battersea Arts Centre (BAC) - and is open to 14 to 19 year olds who live, go to a school or a youth club, or work in Wandsworth.

The competition is an opportunity for singers, poets, dancers, musicians, bands, comedians and any other performers with an act or routine to showcase their talent - and workshops have been arranged to help young people prepare for next month's audition sessions.

As part of the talent search, Bigga Fish, the not for profit youth organisation, will have exciting opportunities for young people to gain knowledge and experience in the promotion, marketing and production of the event.

The council's children's services spokesperson, Councillor Kathy Tracey, said: "In 2011 we uncovered a wealth of young talent in the borough and so I am excited to see what future stars we discover in 2012.

"We want to give young people every opportunity possible to follow their dreams, whether this is through education, apprenticeship schemes, sporting activities or artistic endeavours such as the Young Performer contest."

Last year's competition winners - indie rock band Wanted Down Under - performed at this summer's Olympic torch relay celebration on Tooting Common, which also featured chart-topping hip-hop duo Rizzle Kicks and the urban dance stars of Britain's Got Talent - Twist & Pulse.

To help budding young performers stand out from the crowd at this year's auditions, which begin in October, professional artists will be running practice workshops.

The free performance master classes - open for anyone to attend - are:

• Spoken word meets live music with Kate Tempest, which takes place on Saturday, September 22, from 2pm to 5pm at BAC. Those taking part will be taught how to put live music and words together.
• Beatboxing meets movement with Thickskin & BAC Beatbox Academy . This will be on Saturday, September 29, from 2pm to 5pm at BAC and reveal how to combine vibrant dance with raw beats.
• Vocal Coaching for singers with Daisy Chute, which runs on Monday, October 1, 8 and 15 from 4pm to 7pm at World Heart Beat Music Academy. This is designed to help singers enhance their unique voices.
• Raise your word play with Adisa. This takes place on Wednesday, October 31, from 2pm to 7pm at Tooting Hub. This workshop aims to improve lyrical ability through performance sharing and feedback.

Auditions are free and first-come, first-served basis. They will take place on the following dates and at these locations:

• South Thames College , in Wandsworth High Street, SW18 2PP , on Wednesday, October 17, from 4pm to 7pm.
• World Heart Beat Music Academy , 1st Floor, 58 Kimber Road, SW18 4PP , on Monday, October 22, from 4pm to 7pm.
• Tooting Hub, in Beechcroft Road, SW17 7BU , on Thursday, November 1, from 4pm to 7pm.
• BAC, in Lavender Hill , SW11 5TN , on Saturday, November 3, from 2pm to 5pm.

All young people selected from the audition stage should be available for workshops and rehearsals on Saturday, November 17, and Saturday, December 1.

The final event takes place on Saturday, December 8, at Wandsworth Civic Suite , SW18 2PU.

Prizes this year include a tailored package of professional development opportunities.

For more information contact the Wandsworth Arts Team on 020 8871 8711, arts@wandsworth.gov.uk, or visit the Staff Yard, in Battersea Park , London , SW11 4NJ .

For more information about the other partners involved in Young Performer 2012 visit www.biggafish.com, www.bac.org.uk, and www.wandsworth.gov.uk/youth.