CHOIRS from across Gwent battled it out at the Newport Centre for their chance to turn on Newport’s Christmas lights.

Newport city council, along with the Argus and Red Dragon FM, is looking for a choir to take pride of place at this year’s switch-on event on November 22.

The winning choir will get to switch on the festive lights and perform to thousands of people.

A shortlist of eight choirs auditioned at the Newport Centre on Saturday, leaving the judges, Newport city centre manager Sarah Williams, Argus reporter Ailsa Chalk and Victoria Lewis of Red Dragon, the tough task of picking three to go through to the final.

Cwmbran-based choir Mello’D kicked off proceedings with “A Winter’s Tale,” followed by Ringland’s Batanai Bambanani’s performance of a Christmas carol in their native language of Shona.

South Wales Gay Men’s Chorus gave a flamboyant rendition of “Santa Claus is Coming To Town” and Coleg Gwent’s musical theatre students went all out for an energetic performance of a new Christmas song entitled “Proudly in the Forest.”

Next up were then children from Malpas Church in Wales Junior School with another new song written by their teacher Louise Keyes and Stagecoach Theatre Arts sang “I Will Follow Him.”

Nidus Children’s Choir took to the stage to perform “Walking in A Winter Wonderland” before Newport’s St Joseph’s RC High School brought the auditions to a close with “A Winter’s Tale.”

After some tough deliberations, the judges managed to narrow it down to three finalists who will go forward for the public vote.

This year’s finalists are: St Joseph’s RC High School, Malpas Church In Wales Junior School and Coleg Gwent’s musical theatre students.

Vote for your favourite singers

Now its down to you to vote for your favourite choir out of the final three.

See tomorrow's Argus for all the details how to vote via our website, paper and text message.

Voting runs for a week, with the winner announced in time for the switch-on event on Sunday, November 22.