A TALENTED young singer is hoping people in South Somerset will get behind her as she prepares for her biggest performance ever at the NEC in Birmingham.

Annabel Davies, 12, of Churchill, near Axminster, has reached the finals of national singing competition Open Mic UK after wowing audiences and judges at initial auditions in Bristol, as well as at regional finals and in an area heat.

Beating off competition from 10,000 entrants to get this far is already an achievement, but if Annabel is crowned under-16 champion at the grand final on January 18 she will win £5,000 to spend developing her act.

She said: “I’m really looking forward to the grand final of Open Mic UK. When I heard my name being called to go through to the final I just couldn’t believe it.

“I’m over the moon about everything that’s happened lately – it has all been such great experience.

“I’m very thankful to everyone who came to support me, including a couple of people who got their dad to drive all the way up to Birmingham for the area heat when they missed the bus!

“What I need now is more people to hopefully come and support me again at the NEC, so if anyone can I’d love to see you there.”

Annabel’s mum, Dr Sue Davies, was a GP at Tawstock Medical Centre in Chard for 16 years before moving to Crewkerne Health Centre, where she now works.

She said: “Annabel has always loved singing and discovered her voice while still at primary school, and since then she has enjoyed every opportunity to get up on stage and sing.

“Last summer, she took to the stage at the B Sharp Big Mix Music Festival and the famous Guitars on the Beach world record performance, among other events.

“She has already been booked for next year’s Big Mix Music Festival on July 5 and Guitars on the Beach 2 on September 7, both in Lyme Regis.

“Annabel has been very busy with the Open Mic UK contest, auditioning for it back in October.”

Tickets for the final, priced at £20, can be bought via www.openmicuk.co.uk or from Axe Music Shop in Axminster.

Annabel will also perform at the Gallery in Chard at 7pm on Saturday, January 11 – tickets cost £5 from the venue or from her mum on 07920-057975.