A YOUNG singer looks to have a bright future in show business after performing in contests and at gigs across the region.

Olivia Kate Smith sang in front of hundreds of Darlington FC fans when the team celebrated promotion in the town centre last week.

The performance by the 12-year-old came just hours before she attended the Beyond the Lights 2016 Red Carpet awards ceremony at Rainton Meadows after winning the 12 and under category.

Olivia sang for 500 people at the ceremony and her prize is to perform again at the O2 Academy in Newcastle.

As well as appearing at the Best of Darlington Awards tomorrow (Friday, May 6), the Hummersknott Academy pupil, from Merrybent, near Darlington, will be playing at gigs and festival across the region this summer.

Parents Nathan and Lyndsay Smith say they are very proud of their daughter, although Mr Smith said the family was keeping their feet on the ground.

"Olivia has been singing since she was three. She taught herself to play guitar and she even writes her own songs which we only found out when she was 11 and we found the lyrics."

He added: "We're not getting carried away but I am really enjoying my social life at the moment going to all these gigs."