A singer songwriter won first prize in a talent competition.

Luke Fincher, 18, won the £350 prize at the Search for a Star Talent Competition at The Martlets Shopping Centre in Burgess Hill.

He squeezed in his winning performance during his lunch break from work, performing his song Ghost.

He said: “I started writing music five years ago and I wrote this song after losing my uncle so it is a very emotional song for me to perform.

“I would like to thank the judges for choosing me as the winner. I am chuffed to bits.”

The panel of judges included Ian Goodridge, The Martlets Shopping Centre manager, Rick Daley, from Bright FM, and Andy Penfold, a Simon Cowell lookalike.

Second place and £100 went to Joshua Gander, who performed a rendition of Marry You by Bruno Mars.

Harry Dawes took home £50 and third place for his rendition of Adele’s Set Fire To The Rain.

The show attracted performers aged 10 to 80.