A TEENAGER hit all the right notes to make it through to the semi-final of a national singing competition.

Lauren Walton, 14, from Pinehill Road, Crowthorne, reached the penultimate stage of Teenstar in London, a singing competition open to anyone aged under 19.

She said: “It feels amazing because I have put in a lot of work so I’m glad it paid off. I was really nervous before I performed for the first time but I felt good when I came off the stage.” Singing a variety of pop songs, including playing the keyboard, she wowed judges at all the qualifying stages. However, her luck ran out in the semi-finals on Sunday, where she sang a ‘mash-up’ of Bad Romance by Lady GaGa and Dark Horse by Katy Perry.

The pupil at Edgbarrow School, in Grant Road, added: “Singing is something I want to pursue when I’m older, and I’m happy I got this far – I was practising loads every day!

“It’s been an amazing experience because it’s the first time I’ve ever done anything like this.” Her mum, Sonia, said she was proud of her daughter, and added: “It’s all she’s ever wanted to do, she’s loving it. It’s been amazing watching her on stage, and when you remember she and the others are just 14, she has more courage than some adults! It was an amazing experience for her.” With her whole family behind her – including six-year-old sister Amelie – Lauren is committed to following her dream and to study at The Guildford Academy of Music.