Best friends hoping to turn their talents into a business were placed first and second in the Opera Bingo’s Got Talent show on Saturday night.

Singer, composer and music producer Vickie Harkness, won the competition with 33 per cent of the 1,500 votes cast.

Her uplifting song about getting through Covid and lockdown reminded listeners that when they are down they need to talk to someone.

Vickie, 30, from Dowbeck Road Carlisle, works behind the bar at the Opera Bingo and is an outside instructor at Center Parcs.

Rebecca Wright, 27, from Denton Holme in Carlisle came second. She used her artistic talents, using seemingly random strokes from which a portrait of her young daughter Adella emerged.

The women are looking to set up in business together running music and art classes. Both would like to work with disadvantaged or children with special needs.

Vickie would also continue to produce music, sing and compose.

Whitehaven woman Ashleigh McGarry, who works at the Workington Opera Bingo, was fourth while singer Mary Patrick was third..

In fifth place was Harry the Sexy Hippo.

Bingo Opera’s general manager Neil Graham said he has been delighted at the response.

“Having 1,500 people vote shows that we are engaging our customers, which was what this is all about during lockdown.

“It was great to see some of the customers posting their talents online, too.”

He said much of the praise for the success of the talent show had to go to Carlisle assistant manager Jamie Wilson who had produced the event.

“We are putting on regular events to keep people entertained. Next week are holding a race night.

“We don’t have a licence for online gambling so it is all just for fun”

The group is also planning a bake-off type of event where staff can show their cooking talents.