Ipswich’s highly competitive Ipswich Has Got Talent competition will be returning this year – with a special champion of champions showdown.

Ipswich Borough Council yesterday announced that the annual competition, inspired by hit ITV show Britain’s Got Talent, would this year feature previous years’ winners going head to head for the title of champion of champions.

Details are set to be announced over the coming weeks, but the council yesterday confirmed that no applications for heats would take place this year, but a process would be put in place ahead of the grand final in September.

Mike Grimwood, project manager for Ipswich Has Got Talent, said: “We are all looking forward to an Ipswich Has Got Talent with a difference this summer. We are inviting previous winners and some of the other top acts to come back on stage at the Regent Theatre on 24 September to battle it out in a champion of champions event.

“We’ve had some excellent performances since it started in 2009, so it will be a great night out with a wide range of talent on show.”

Last year’s competition was won by soul singer Tia B, who wowed the audience and judges alike on the Regent stage.