Young singer Rachel Allder will perform at the NEC in Birmingham on Saturday after reaching the area finals of Teenstar, the UK’s largest competition for teenagers.

Last year’s Teenstar winner Luke Friend went on to do well on The X Factor and Miss Allder, of Savernake Road, Burbage, is also hoping to develop her singing career.

The 15-year-old St John’s pupil, who goes by the stage name Rea, began singing lessons when she was 12 and travels to Southampton to see her teacher every other week.

She will sing her own version of I Want You Back by The Jackson 5 and if successful she will go through to the grand final, also at the NEC.

Miss Allder said: “I was really shocked to get through, but so happy.

“I’m so excited, it will be great for me to perform in front of such a big audience. My family will be there cheering me on and my little brother has made me a banner.

“I’ve got a great singing teacher and I enjoy learning, I enjoy the rush that singing gives me, and the way I can express myself.”