A YOUNG singer from Hartlebury will perform in front of about 500 people after reaching the regional finals of a nationwide competition.

Taylor Williams, 10, impressed TeenStar judges in her initial audition and will now sing in a live showcase at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre on Saturday, March 23.

Jeanne Frith, Taylor’s mother, said: “We are absolutely over the moon.

Taylor has never done anything like that before, certainly nothing as professional as this. How remarkable at 10 to sing in front of a live audience.”

Taylor attends Winterfold School in Chaddesley Corbett, where she has singing lessons each week, and Mrs Frith was keen to stress their positive impact.

“I would be so nervous, but Taylor is really excited, not afraid at all. I think that’s an asset from the school,” she added.

If successful, regional finalists progress to the national grand final taking place at the O2 Arena in London.

Acts are judged on vocal ability, image, originality and star quality, with some being awarded studio recording time and music development courses at some of the UK's top facilities.

TeenStar is the UK’s largest national music competition for teenagers and pre-teens and is a sister competition to Open Mic UK.

Mrs Frith said that family and friends would be coming from as far as Hull to see Taylor perform.