By Beth Robson

Being serenaded over coffee and a muffin was an unusual treat for regulars at Costa in Deal High Street.

But if that was what it took for manager Gavin Maguire to shoot a video for a talent competition, that was what he was going to do.

Gavin, 27, of Wilson Avenue, Deal, has had his sights set on a singing career for years, and when Costa launched their own version of the X Factor for employees called Costafactor, he had to have a go.

He said: "I invited regular customers and all the staff and then I stood on the counter and sang it. If you watch it, it’s quite tongue-in-cheek."

He sang Stand By Me, recorded it with a camcorder, and has since posted the video online for customers and friends to log on and vote for him.

Gavin, originally from Gravesend, is itching to perform.

For now, his goal is to reach the competition’s semi-final at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.

To see Gavin’s performance and to support him, log onto: www.costafactor.com before Tuesday, January 31.

For the full story, see the East Kent Mercury