Geordie actor Tim Healy was on hand at St James's Park as the 20 semi-finalists for the Music Means Life competition were revealed.

The competition, which gives up-and-coming artists the chance to perform on stage, will raise thousands of pounds from ticket sales for the Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT).

Pip Coates, from Tynemouth, was one of the lucky few to get through to the semi's with his band Waterfront.

Click here to visit the Music Means Life website.

The 20-year-old said: "We've been writing our own music for years now, and we've got an album that we've created as well

"It's really great to get so far in the competition with a song that we created ourselves, so we're hoping to go all the way and win the whole thing."

Music Means Life has encouraged unsigned acts with at least one member aged between 12-21-years-old to upload a music file to website www.musicmean-slife.com, with the shortlisted 20 acts appearing in live semi-finals on April 10 and 17.

In the live finals, Michael Balfour from South Shields, who is in remission from nasopharangeal carcenoma, will judge alongside Pop Idol's Zoe Birkett and X Factor's Journey South, and the events will be hosted by Richard and Judy's daughter Chloe Maddely.

Fifteen-year-old Georgia Overton from Acklington Village, Morpeth, is keen to suss out the competition.

"I haven't heard any of the others yet, so when the songs are put on the internet I am going to have a listen to check out the other semi finalists.

"I think I'm in with a good chance of winning – I'm just trying to decide on my song now."

The money raised from the compeition will be spent on the £1.9m rebuild of the TCT unit at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary.

Gary Thompson who created the idea said: "Music Means Life is the ideal platform for teenagers to get involved, and more importantly to bring about awareness of teenage cancer in North East England.

"The charity desperately needs funds to replace the existing TCT ward – and this competition is a great way of recognising how much talent we have here in the north east, as well as raising money for the new unit.

"Everyone who is through to the semi finals really deserves their place – I'm glad I'm not the one who has to judge it."

Tickets for the semi-finals and grand final are available from www.musicmeanslife.com priced at £15 each.