A YOUNG vocalist from Hertswood School has made it to the final stages of a national singing contest.

Student Taylor Crosby, 17, has beaten competition from singers at the Beck Theatre, Hayes, to reach the final auditions of the Open Mic London Auditions. Miss Crosby sang the Jocelyn Brown hit Somebody Else's Guy.

She said: "I sing that song a lot, it gives me a chance to show my voice off. I love the song. Singing is something that I've always done, but I do get nervous when there are so many people watching and you are up against so many other singers."

Taylor, from Gateshead Road, Borehamwood, is a BTEC student at Hertswood School studying music performance and performance arts. If she makes it through to the next stage of the contest on October 10 at the Beck Theatre, Taylor will go on to represent London at the finals of the competition at the O2 Arena in Greenwich.