A YOUNG singer from Yate is preparing for the biggest competition of her life when she performs in a national talent show this weekend.

Thirteen-year-old Naomi Ogborne has already made her parents prouder than they thought possible by winning a coveted place at the Teenstar UK area finals which take place in Birmingham on Saturday, May 24.

The Chipping Sodbury School pupil, who only sang in public for the first time at her aunt’s 50th birthday party, is hoping to follow in the footsteps of X Factor contestant Luke Friend who won the competition last year.

Naomi, who performs under the name Naomi Jean, has a big following on Facebook after sharing covers of songs she sang at the Teenstar regional finals in Bristol in April.

Her dad Alan told the Gazette: “She has gone beyond our wildest dreams by getting to the area finals.

“Naomi has done all this herself, she wasn’t pushed into it at all, I don’t know where she gets the guts to do it from. I think she wanted to prove she could do it.”

A coach full of her family and friends is travelling to Birmingham with her this weekend wearing T-shirts and badges and waving banners in support of Naomi.

Added Mr Ogborne, of Blaisdon in Yate: “Everyone at Chipping Sodbury School is over the moon for her and we are all very proud. It is great she has done something she knows she wants to do.

“If she wins this round she is through to the national finals which would be fantastic.

“Naomi does get a bit nervous sometimes but we will all be there supporting her.”

Several local companies are supporting the young singer achieve her dreams including Westward Travel which is subsidising the transport costs, NSG Security and Sprint Print which are helping to cover the costs of posters and T-shirts, and Timpson, which is providing pin badges bearing Naomi’s picture.

Mr Ogborne said the family was extremely grateful for all the help they had received.

If she wins one of two places through to the area final she is in with a chance of appearing at London’s O2 Arena and a share of a £20,000 prize fund. For more information visit www.teenstarcompetition.co.uk or search Naomi Jean on Facebook.