GROWING up, Shannan Cairns was the little girl singing into her hairbrush in front of the mirror.

So she’s now thrilled to be touring the country emulating one of the UK’s biggest girl bands as part of the Little Mix Experience.

The 23-year-old teaching assistant, who is originally from Ireland but now lives in London, is one quarter of the tribute band who are heading to Bournemouth Pavilion on Sunday for a show packed with Little Mix hits “from start to finish”.

“I can’t even explain how much fun it is,” Shannan told the Daily Echo.

“Our show is for everyone. Sometimes the arenas can be a bit daunting for younger kids, but our concerts are very family orientated - even the grandparents come out.”

Shannan became part of the Little Mix Experience over a year ago, and says the band’s journey is spookily similar to that of the real Little Mix, who were put together during X Factor auditions.

“It was the audition process as four girls who just had a passion for what they do,” she explains.

“It just so happens that we worked very well as a girl band and now we’re the best of friends. Little Mix are huge at the moment. When we were thinking ‘girlband’, we wanted to do it big and be one of the best around. We are also all massive fans of the girls ourselves.”

Shannan plays Perrie in the group, but is also heavily involved as creative director and choreographer. She says the girls have been touring almost continuously for the last year but, while it’s hard work, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“We’ve been to every corner of the country, it’s absolutely fantastic, especially when you’re on tour with all your friends. And it’s amazing how much support we have. When you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work. We emulate Little Mix, but there’s an essence of us in it as well and we do hope to integrate our own music further down the line.”

n The Little Mix Experience is at Bournemouth Pavilion at 1pm on Sunday.

Tickets are £15 from 0844 576 3000 or bournemouthpavilion.co.uk.