Saltburn teenager Faye Nesbitt hopes to become a professional singer, and her latest song has been written by an 82-year-old neighbour, Mary Allen.

Faye, a 15-year-old Huntscliff School pupil, likes classical, folk, pop and rock music and has performed at various events, including a concert with Cleveland's nationally-renowned folk performer, Vin Garbutt.

She won a Saltburn folk festival award last summer, sang at the town's community theatre in December, and did well at a folk festival near Blackpool.

Her new song is based on a poem written by Mrs Allen and has been recorded on to a CD. Mrs Allen can apparently write song lyrics in five minutes and thought Faye was Saltburn's answer to Charlotte Church - the young Welsh classical star who recently had a Top 40 dance hit.

The pair came together after Faye's father, Martin, saw Mrs Allen's poetry while carrying out a repair at her home. She began writing two years ago and has won a number of awards, including one from Saltburn Writers' Group. Mr Nesbitt writes music and accompanies Faye on guitar.

The resulting song, Heartache, is a true tale of first-love and broken hearts, but with an optimistic chorus.

Faye, of West Avenue, plans to study performing arts at Redcar and Cleveland College. She said: "I was about ten when I started singing at Saltburn Primary School. I do classical music at school and also enjoy folk. I don't really change my voice for each style, but folk tends to be gentler and slower."

Her fans include her mother, Pauline, a former sandwich business owner, and 19-year old brother Neil, a law and business student. The CD was made by Teesside University's Ken Hall at his Montrose Street studio