A CHOIRGIRL from Siddington has sung her way into the prestigious Radio 2 Young Choristers of the Year final.

Soprano Erin Hughes, 16, is one of just four girls from across the country who will compete for the title of Choirgirl of the Year.

And she will be hoping to emulate the success of fellow Gloucestershire student Laurence Kilsby from Stow-on-the-Wold, who took last year’s title of Choirboy of the Year.

If Erin wins she will receive lessons with one of the UK's leading singing coaches and have the opportunity to appear on national radio and television.

The talented singer and dedicated follower of Reading football club, declared herself “really, really happy,” on hearing the news.

The title is extra special this year as the competition celebrates it 25th anniversary and choristers will compete at St Paul’s Cathedral.

Erin sings at Dean Close school chapel choir in Cheltenham. She was born in Norway where her father served during his military career and moved to Siddington with her family and three siblings over three years ago.

It was during violin tuition that her singing voice was discovered at Dean Close School and it was recommended that she take singing lessons. She has not looked back and hopes to go to the Royal Academy of Music with a view to becoming an opera singer.

She is no stranger to performing on the big stage and has sung at St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Tewkesbury Abbey and Notre Dame de Paris. She was a member of the National Children’s Choir and has joined the Cirencester Choral Society.

But she still suffers from nerves. “I get horrendous stage fright but as soon as I start singing it has gone,” she said.

Her father Graham Hughes said: “We are all over the moon. My wife saw the advert for the competition and suggested she go for it. We are all very proud of her and will be there at St Paul’s, along with grandparents, godparents and former schoolmasters. If she comes fourth I have told her I don’t mind. She will be fourth out of the whole nation.”

*The finals take place on Friday, October 29 at St Paul's Cathedral in London and can be heard on Radio 2 on Sunday, November 7