Farron to judge 'Kirkby Lonsdale's got Talent!'

On Friday, local MP Tim Farron will be on the panel of judges for the talent show 'Kirkby Lonsdale's got Talent,' alongside fellow judges Jim Bowen and musician John Helliwell. The show will be held at Queen Elizabeth School, in aid of the Kirkby Lonsdale Play Partnership. The Play Partnership seeks to raise £120,000 to provide safe play areas for children, the first phase being for toddlers, including interactive play devices.

Mr Farron is an unlikely talent show judge - the MP confesses to rarely watching TV shows like Pop Idol and Fame Academy, preferring instead to spend time with his large record collection of obscure independent bands.

"I'm more punk rock than pop idol" said Clash-fan Tim, "but it's a great cause that will really improve the lives of young children in Kirkby Lonsdale. By providing top of the range play equipment, safe surfaces for the children to play on and a swing for disabled children, the Play Partnership is ensuring that all areas of society will benefit from their goodwill. I find it bizarre that local people should have to travel by car to find quality entertainment for their children, and upgrading the current facilities in the centre of town will be a fantastic boon to society."

"I am sure that there are plenty of really talented people out there in Kirkby Lonsdale, and I will be happy to follow in the footsteps of Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh by judging a talent show of this nature. Who knows, we may even find the next Shayne Ward, whilst hopefully raising a lot of money for charity along the way, that will benefit local residents of Kirkby Lonsdale for generations to come."