A TALENTED youngster is well on her way to fulfilling a lifetime dream of becoming a professional singer . . . less than 12 months after the St Helens Star helped her on the road to success.

Kelly Wilson, from Royal Grove in Ravenhead, had her first taste of singing stardom when she won our Young Stars of Tomorrow 1997 competition.

And she hasn't paused for breath since. In addition to numerous solo performances and appearances at venues across the North West, the Rainhill High School pupil has been interviewed on Radio Merseyside and is in the middle of recording a demo tape for her first album - and all at the tender age of 13.

However, with a basic cost of £150 for every song recorded on the tape - there are 14 tracks in all - Kelly is afraid that she may not be able to afford to complete her album and has appealed to kindhearted local businesses and individuals to help her out.

Proud dad, Steve, told the Star: "She has always loved singing and her favourites are covers of songs by the likes of Barbra Streisand and Elaine Paige.

"Since winning the Star's talent competition, her confidence has really improved. She is a regular member of the Zodiac Roadshow which travels around Merseyside performing shows and she is also booked to sing a solo at the Theatre Royal on June 12 as part of the Roy Castle charity concert."

He added: "The album will have a very wide range of songs on it - she has even done a blues number originally recorded by Gary Moore. So far, she has recorded five tracks at the Burnley studio and she is now beginning to think seriously about taking up a professional career in singing. However, we still have to find the cash to help produce the album and although we have had great support from the studio, who are paying for two tracks, and other people, we don't have enough yet to complete it."

If you would like to help Kelly, you can contact Steve on St Helens 21622 after 6.30pm.

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