A NORTH-EAST musician has her sights set on international stardom after signing with a Dubai-based record label.

Singer and songwriter Samantha Durnan was snapped up by record company R U Listening after an executive watched her perform recently.

The 22-year-old, from Ingleby Barwick, first picked up a guitar aged seven and has been performing around the region since childhood, entertaining crowds with her blend of acoustic pop.

Currently the resident musician at Darlington’s Rockcliffe Hall, Samantha is looking forward to sampling the global limelight.

She said: “We’ve got plans for me to head to LA, Dubai, Australia and all over to perform and network.

“I’m working on a new album at the moment and we’ll be releasing that eventually.

“It’s very exciting and surreal to think my music might be heard all over the world.

“Even if I don’t make it as a massive success, the experience and being able to class myself as a songwriter means a lot.”

She added: “I’m constantly singing and recording and always in the studio, this is something I love to do.

“I don’t know where it will all take me but I’ll always be doing it and if it does take me places then great, I’ll learn more and grow in confidence.”

Samantha will give her last local show before a hiatus at Middlesbrough’s Mix Tape on Tuesday, July 1.

For more information, visit facebook.com/samanthadurnanmusic.