Professional Liverpool Idol finalists announced

The finalists have now been revealed for the inaugural Professional Liverpool Idol sponsored by Medicash.

The city's own X Factor competition will be held on July 9 at PanAmerican on the Albert Dock, and aims to raise over £15,000 for the leading learning disability charity Mencap.

Taking to the stage will be Martin McQueen of Halliwells, John McCaffery of Grant Thornton, Jon Else of TSSLP, Frank Herlihy of DSW, Carla Whitehead of PKF, Edmund Chan of DLA Piper, Colin Wardale and Mike Powell of Hill Dickinson, Mike Petyt of Medicash and Jennifer Lee of KPMG.

The event is being run in partnership with Professional Liverpool which is the business network and sector support organisation for financial and professional services firms across Liverpool City Region.

Mark Chadwick, chief executive of Professional Liverpool, said, "The contestants deserve support from their colleagues and friends in the business community and we want to raise as much money as possible so we are urging people to buy their tickets now before they sell out."

All contestants will receive professional vocal coaching from Sense of Sound and will be backed by a live band on the night.

Sue Weir, chief executive of Medicash said, "We are delighted to be supporting this fundraising event and alongside our own member of staff taking part we are looking forward to seeing how the rest of the contestants get on."

"The Liverpool business community has really taken this event to heart" added Gayle Derrick, head of regional fundraising, North West Mencap. "The contestants are eager to hit the stage and the audience numbers are swelling. It promises to be a great night."

For further information visit www.liverpoolidol.co.uk or contact Gayle Derrick on 0161 968 9269.