A SINGING sensation from Woodroffe School in Lyme Regis will compete in the finals of a national competition in Birmingham this weekend.

Annabel Davies, 12, from Axminster, qualified for the finals of the Open Mic UK contest after securing a top spot in the area finals, also held in Birmingham.

Annabel will be competing against 25 other budding singers in the under 16 category for the first prize of £5,000 to spend on their career development, plus a winner’s package which includes further training.

The judges for the competition will all be representatives of major record labels, including some from Simon Cowell-owned SyCo Entertainment, BBC Introducing, Warner Music and Universal.

Annabel will sing Queen’s smash-hit ‘Somebody to Love’ at the finals, which will be at the NEC arena on Saturday, and has spent weeks rehearsing and producing her own backing vocals to accompany the song.

Annabel said: “I chose this song because I thought it would be something different to what I have done before and it is quite a challenge. It’s also a song that people know well but they may not have heard it in a while and I like that.

“I have changed it a little bit to put my own version on it and I have also choreographed a dance routine for it so it is a little bit different. I am really excited but also really nervous because so many people are coming to support me. I like having them there though because I can recognise their faces in the crowd and that helps to calm my nerves a little bit.”

Annabel will be supported by 52 family and friends at the finals and mother Sue Davies said she is proud of her daughter.

Mrs Davies said: “She has worked with a vocal coach in Bristol to produce a completely unique backing track to go with the song, and she has been rehearsing all the time.

“She is working really hard at her craft and she is making sure she puts her all into it.

“It will still have been an amazing experience if she doesn’t win but it would be great if she did, and we will all be right behind her.”

To vote for Annabel to win the competition, text Open11 to 86222.

Text votes cost £1 plus your standard message rate.