A TALENTED teenager from Cirencester has won a prestigious national singing award at a charity gala in London.

Lily, 15, who is a pupil at Stagecoach Performing Arts Cirencester, dazzled the judges with her vocal performance at the West End's Shaftesbury Theatre on December 1 to take home the Outstanding Singer 13+ Award.

Stagecoach Performing Arts is the world's largest network of performing arts schools, and they hosted the sixth annual charity gala with all proceeds from the event going to YoungMinds, the UK’s leading charity championing the mental wellbeing of children and young people.

Judges praised the range of vocal techniques Lily showcased during her performance, and for the pitch and musicality of her voice.

The charity gala featured performances from schools selected from regional and London showcases, alongside performances from special guests, and the awards marked the end of an exciting year for Stagecoach, which has been operating for over 30 years and has helped over one million young people reach their potential through performing arts.

Sarah Kelly, CEO of Stagecoach Performing Arts, said: “Our annual charity gala is always a special event, with students and teachers coming together from all over the global network to celebrate their hard work, we aim to support students in accessing the fundamental life skills which will equip them as adults.

"We believe the addition of the award ceremony and our partnership with YoungMinds has inspired our students to feel empowered and recognised."

Vanessa Longley, director of development at YoungMinds, said: “Our partnership with Stagecoach Performing Arts this year has allowed us to engage with a network of children and young people who are exceptionally talented and motivated.

"This latest effort to raise funds for our services will provide us with some of the additional funds needed to support young people who are struggling with their mental health and we are grateful to Stagecoach for their ongoing commitment to supporting our cause.”