ELVIS impersonators battled it out in a York pub last night to claim the title of the city's top "hound dog".

The Tap & Spile, in Monkgate, played host to the first stage of the Elvis Academy, which is raising money for National Cancer Research and Caroline's Rainbow Foundation.

In a tense heat, five impersonators were voted through to join six semi-professional competitors who will sing at the main academy event over the Whitsun holiday weekend.

Tap & Spile landlord Jack Merry judged the contest along with BBC Yorkshire Elvis Jim Santana and representatives from the Evening Press and Radio York.

The main event, on Sunday, May 30, will be the Elvis Academy itself. After the 11 Presley impersonators have strutted their stuff, the audience will pick a winner.

But all contestants will have another chance for glory through BBC Radio York's website www. bbc.co.uk/northyorkshire. Performances will be recorded on the day and published online. In true "academy" style, members of the public will vote off one Elvis impersonator weekly until a winner is revealed.

Their talents will also be showcased by Radio York in advance of the competition and in a special fly-on-the-wall documentary afterwards. Other events on the Sunday will include a children's Elvis fancy dress competition, an Elvis quiz and Elvis films.

Updated: 10:23 Thursday, April 29, 2004