A SEARCH for up-and-coming stars begins today with the launch of The Scottish Variety Awards.

The event, being held at Glasgow's Crowne Plaza, on March 23, is being backed by the Evening Times.

Judges are looking for nominees in categories for the best new Scottish band or solo artist, company, actor/actress, comedian, restaurant, sports-person, artist or designer, and best up-and-coming Scottish politician.

There will also be an award for Outstanding Achieve-ment – previous winners include Paolo Nutini, Amy Macdonald and, last year, Susan Boyle, who has performed at the event.

And today we can reveal the hosts of the glitzy bash are Capital FM's breakfast show hosts Des Clarke and Jennie Cook.

All money raised from the evening will go to Yorkhill Hospital, charity Debra, and Capital FM's nomin-ated charity Help a Capital Child.

A table, for 10 guests, includes a champagne reception, four-course meal with some comp-limentary drinks, gifts, as well as the awards show.

The awards, which started in 2008, are the brainchild of KJM Events managing director Keira MacDougall and television presenter and musician Laura Marks.

Laura said: "Each year the Scottish Variety Awards gets bigger. It is fantastic to see the drive behind the nominees as they set up social networking pages to generate votes.

"Having Scottish successes such as this year's Breakthrough Artist winner Emeli Sande and Susan Boyle support the event stresses how influential winning a Scottish Variety Award can be."

For tickets, available as singles but costing £900 plus VAT for a table for 10, call 0141 353 5000, email sva@kjmevents.com. To nominate go to http://www.capitalfm.com/scottishvarietyawards/

rebecca.gray@heraldandtimes.co.uk